alt Hacker News> The primary goal is clear and simple: to require 3D printer manufacturers to use a state-certified algorithm that checks digital design files for firearm components and blocks print jobs that would produce prohibited parts.
"state-certified algorithm" has a really nice tyrannic ring to it. I am sure once this has passed the rich people can finally sleep at night knowing they are safe from roving gangs of armed Mangiones.
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"Error, you cannot print toiletpart.stl because there is no open permit for the the address at which this printer is registered, contact a licensed plumber during normal business hours"
Don't laugh, this sort of regulatory capture type crap is exactly where it'll trickle down to if they get what they want for guns.
I remember the hysterical "ban algorithms" type legislation that kept showing up in states for a while.
But like all humans we're often ok as long as it is "our guy" or "our algorithm".
Straight out of 1984.
To be fair that's more or less how we prevent printers from printing counterfeit money.
A 3D printer, at least of the Prusa variety, is really just a bunch of stepper motors and a dumb motor driver executing a series of effectively "rotate by X steps" commands, which is what the gcode file is. It doesn't know what it's printing. It doesn't even know that it's a printer.
If they wanted a gate on designs it would have to happen in slicing software, not the actual printer.