He calls it 'Hochulization': 3D gun pioneer claims to beat NY's printer block

Cody Wilson, the man behind the world's first 3D-printed gun, says he's found a way around New York's new mandate. He's dubbed it "Hochulization" - a direct jab at Governor Kathy Hochul, who signed the law requiring new 3D printers to include software that blocks the printing of firearm components. Wilson's claim, posted on his website, is the latest salvo in a decade-long battle over the intersection of digital technology and the Second Amendment.

New York's law, the first of its kind in the nation, took effect earlier this year. It forces manufacturers to install detection software that prevents printers from producing gun parts, a measure aimed at curbing the rise of ghost guns - untraceable firearms assembled at home from parts that often bypass background checks. Supporters argue the law is a commonsense step to keep weapons out of dangerous hands. Opponents see it as an unconstitutional restriction on speech and the right to bear arms.

Wilson is no stranger to this fight. In 2013, he posted the blueprints for his Liberator pistol online, sparking a federal lawsuit that eventually ended with a settlement allowing him to publish the files. Since then, he's become a polarizing figure - a self-described crypto-anarchist who believes information wants to be free, even if that information can be used to make a gun. His new claim fits that pattern: he says he's developed a technique that circumvents the software, though he hasn't provided technical details. He frames it as a matter of inevitability - if the code exists, someone will find a way around it.

The broader implications extend far beyond one man's hobby. This is a case study in the difficulty of regulating technology that can be modified. As 3D printers become cheaper and more accessible, the cat-and-mouse game between regulators and hobbyists will only intensify. Wilson's announcement is likely to inspire copycats, and it raises a critical question: can any software-based restriction truly stop a determined individual? The answer, so far, has been no - and that's a problem for lawmakers who rely on technical solutions to address social problems.

Lawmakers and gun-control advocates have not yet responded publicly to Wilson's claim, but the pattern is predictable. They'll argue that even imperfect measures raise the barrier to entry, making it harder for casual users to produce firearms. They'll also point out that Wilson hasn't released his bypass method, so the software may still work for most people. But Wilson's history suggests he won't keep the technique secret for long. If he publishes it, the law's effectiveness could be gutted overnight.

The legal landscape is also shifting. Wilson's claim could trigger new lawsuits, both from gun-rights groups challenging the law and from states seeking to enforce it. There's also the question of federal preemption - can a state mandate software on devices sold nationwide? That's a battle that could reach the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, other states are watching. Some may follow New York's lead, while others may wait to see if the law survives legal scrutiny.

For businesses in the 3D printing industry, this is a wake-up call. Manufacturers now face a patchwork of state regulations, and they'll need to decide whether to comply with the strictest laws or risk legal exposure. The technology itself is evolving too - some printers already use encrypted firmware or physical locks to prevent modification. But as Wilson demonstrates, determined users always find a way. The arms race between security and circumvention is as old as technology itself.

In the end, Wilson's "Hochulization" is more than a clever name. It's a reminder that in the digital age, laws written for physical objects may struggle to keep up with code. The fight over 3D-printed guns is far from over - it's moving from the printer to the courtroom, the internet, and the minds of every tinkerer with a grudge against regulation. For now, the ball is in Governor Hochul's court. But Wilson has already shown he's willing to play.