Judge says ATF cannot decide when a piece of 3D-printed plastic legally becomes a firearm

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What just happened? A Texas federal judge has declared key sections of the ATF's 2022 "ghost gun" rule unconstitutional. The regulations expanded the definitions of "firearm" and "frame or receiver" to cover certain weapon kits and partially complete components, requiring sellers to obtain federal licenses, add serial numbers, retain sales records, and conduct background checks.

The permanent injunction blocks enforcement of those provisions against Defense Distributed and current or future members of the Second Amendment Foundation. It covers the company's M1911 80% frames, G80 build kit, unfinished receiver, and grip module.

The decision has plenty of implications for 3D-printed parts. The rule says a printing, forging, casting, extrusion, or unmachined body can become a regulated frame or receiver once it is "clearly identifiable" as an unfinished firearm component.