California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu have filed a lawsuit against Gatalog Foundation Inc. and CTRLPew LLC, accusing the organizations of unlawfully distributing computer code for 3D printing ghost guns and related firearm components. The complaint alleges that these entities provided files and instructions for producing untraceable firearms, machine gun conversion devices, and large-capacity magazines to individuals without proper licenses in California.
“This groundbreaking lawsuit shows that our office is not bound by the old playbook. Similar to these defendants, we think creatively, but our aim is to protect public safety rather than obstruct it,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “These defendants’ conduct enables unlicensed people who are too young or too dangerous to pass firearm background checks to illegally print deadly weapons without a background check and without a trace. This lawsuit underscores just how dangerous the ghost gun industry is and how much harm its skip-the-background-check business model has done to California’s communities. Thankfully, there is hope. We have made progress in addressing this threat in our state and we will continue this good work. California is building a model for policymakers in other states and in Congress to comprehensively address the ghost gun crisis nationwide. I’m committed to continuing to prioritize efforts to protect Californians from an industry that skirts the law to arm people who never passed a background check with weapons designed to end life.”
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu stated, “Gatalog is distributing blueprints for some of the world’s most dangerous and untraceable weapons. Ghost guns bypass background checks and leave law enforcement no trail in violent crimes. Gatalog is illegally disseminating computer code that makes it quick, cheap, and easy for anyone, including teenagers, to 3D-print ghost guns and convert firearms into machine guns. They are making it easier to put guns in the hands of dangerous individuals, including those barred from owning a firearm. We’re asking the Court to stop Gatalog’s illegal distribution of ghost gun blueprints, which makes us all less safe.”
Adam Skaggs, Chief Counsel and Vice President at GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, commented on the action: “We applaud Attorney General Bonta and City Attorney Chiu for their leadership and decisive action confronting the serious threat to public safety posed by 3D-printed guns. We have fought the ghost gun threat for years, including by partnering with Attorney General Bonta to permanently stop three reckless ghost gun companies from ever doing business in the state of California. But a new generation of irresponsible gun industry actors are trying to unlawfully arm minors, people with felony convictions, and domestic abusers by letting them 3D-print their own guns without any background checks. Today’s decisive action against Gatalog is a critical first step in showing they are not above the law and stopping those who would profit from undermining public safety.”
The lawsuit details claims that Gatalog Foundation Inc., CTRLPew LLC, and associated platforms make downloadable files containing computer code for producing firearms available within California borders. The entities also provide step-by-step guides on 3D printing firearms as well as sell merchandise related to these activities.
Ghost guns are defined as firearms produced without valid serial numbers by unlicensed individuals—making them difficult for authorities to trace when used in crimes. Over recent years there has been an increase in products enabling unlicensed persons in California communities to assemble such weapons without undergoing standard background checks or following regulatory safeguards.
The Office of Gun Violence Prevention under California’s Department of Justice provides reports outlining efforts taken against ghost guns within the state.
The California Attorney General’s office serves as both chief law enforcement authority across all regions of California—enforcing laws related not only public safety but also civil rights protections—and promotes transparency through resources like its OpenJustice portal for criminal justice data publication.
Rob Bonta leads this office which operates throughout California as part of its executive branch structure outlined by state constitution while pursuing initiatives spanning consumer protection as well as environmental justice.
For further information about ongoing policy initiatives or access data regarding crime prevention strategies—including measures targeting ghost gun proliferation—the public can visit the official website.
