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Clearly this is mostly security theatre (see eg comment about proving that them printer can't print a printer that can print a gun).

On the other hand - it would be low hanging fruit to prevent off the shelf printers to print well known gun parts? Much like photocopiers and scanners and printers won't scan, copy or print known currency bills?

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> prevent off the shelf printers to print well known gun parts?

> copy or print known currency bills

Currency explicitly embeds detectable patterns to make software detection easy - firearm 3D models don't have any such feature.

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Actual text from your link is:

> (a) Any business that produces or manufactures three-dimensional printers for sale or transfer in California shall take both of the following steps

This is worded a bit ambiguously: it's not clear whether it's meant to be "manufactures ... in California" or "for sale or transfer in California". IANAL, but wouldn't the latter be unconstitutional inasmuch as it conflicts with federal jurisdiction over interstate commerce? It seems unlikely that California would be able to enforce this against businesses that have no operational presence there, and are merely shipping 3D printers to California from other states.

And if that's the case, the only meaningful effect of this bill passing will be to further motivate anyone making or selling 3D printers to leave California for other states.

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I do agree, there are a lot of federalism concerns. That said, there are a lot of things which are illegal for sale at a state/city/county level that vary across state/county/city lines. Its not entirely a new domain.
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Sure, but those local laws have no relevance outside their jurisdiction. In this case, it's not clear that California isn't trying to extend its reach beyond its own borders.
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> It seems pretty clear this would prohibit the sale of 3D printers that are not approved by the California DoJ.

Note the difference w.r.t. the ridiculous "California's New Bill Requires DOJ-Approved 3D Printers".

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I still don't see what's you're saying. California's bill is requiring their DoJ to approve 3D printers for sale or transfer within the state of California.

I wonder what your first language is.

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