The Rising Ease and Legal Challenges of 3D-Printed Ghost Guns in the US

This WIRED article and podcast episode explore the growing accessibility and legal ambiguities surrounding 3D-printed ghost guns in the United States. Senior writer Andy Greenberg, who has tracked ghost guns for over a decade, legally 3D-printed the same model of pistol allegedly used by Luigi Mangione in a high-profile killing. The process of creating such guns has become faster, cheaper, and more practical due to advances in 3D printing technology and the significant drop in printer costs—from nearly $3000 in 2015 to around $650 in 2025. Ghost guns are homemade firearms without serial numbers, making them untraceable and exempt from background checks or registration, exploiting a loophole in US federal gun laws. While some states have enacted laws requiring serialization or banning ghost guns, many places, including Louisiana where Greenberg conducted his experiment, lack such regulations. The article discusses the legal landscape, including recent Supreme Court rulings that ban selling ghost gun kits but do not prohibit individuals from 3D-printing gun parts themselves. The assembly process remains complex but achievable, and the article highlights the eerie reality of handling and firing such weapons, including 3D-printed silencers, which remain illegal without proper licensing. The piece underscores the tension between advancing technology and lagging legislation, raising concerns about public safety and regulatory gaps.