While the purchase of a traditional gun from a gun dealer would require an in-person background check and result in a paper trail to enable authorities to trace the source of the gun if it is misused, 3D-printed guns can be made at home and give dangerous individuals—including violent felons and extremists—a way to arm themselves without an opportunity to intervene or investigate. 

Further, some 3D-printed guns are designed to avoid detection. Many are made from plastic or mixed materials, making them harder to detect with standard metal detectors in public places like courthouses, airports, or schools. The potential ability to bypass security and avoid gun regulations makes them especially appealing to those intending to commit violent crimes.

Compounding the issue is the role of online communities where blueprints, tutorials, and encouragement to build weapons are widely circulated. Online communities dedicated to 3D-printed firearms often serve as hubs where blueprints, assembly guides, and ideological propaganda are freely shared. These spaces can attract individuals who are not only interested in firearms but are also motivated by hate, conspiracy theories, or violent ideologies. Some extremist groups in these communities actively encourage followers to print their own weapons as a way to arm themselves without government oversight and prepare for acts of violence or terrorism. 

Law enforcement agencies have already seen a rise in the use of 3D-printed guns in shootings, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities.