Evidence presented in the suit includes spools of filament recovered by the San Diego Police Department's Ghost Gun Team from a teenager's workshop. The material was found alongside printed guns and firearm parts believed to be intended for sale, which the suit cites as proof of the manufacturer's harm.
This legal action is part of a broader effort by California municipalities and the state attorney general's office to curb the production of illegal firearms by targeting the supply of precursor components. Similar lawsuits have been filed against online platforms that distribute digital firearm manufacturing codes.
The suit highlights that a spool of filament, costing approximately $20-30, can be sufficient to print multiple firearm components, making a 3-D printed handgun significantly cheaper than a commercially produced firearm. State law enforcement agencies report a substantial increase in the recovery of ghost guns and conversion kits annually.
San Diego's lawsuit is one of three initiated by the county counsel's new affirmative litigation department, established to investigate and sue businesses on behalf of residents. The effectiveness of these new gun control measures, however, faces ongoing legal challenges and scrutiny from higher courts.