This Week in Guns 5/9/2026 - California Sued Us & What's the ATF Up To?

Published on May 10, 2026
Duration: 104:31

This video discusses a lawsuit filed by California against individuals and entities for distributing firearm manufacturing code, specifically 3D models and instructions. The hosts argue that California's law is overly broad and vague, potentially infringing on First Amendment rights. They highlight the legal arguments around whether computer code constitutes protected speech and the implications for individuals seeking to manufacture firearms at home. The discussion also touches on the ATF's activities and the broader legal landscape surrounding digital firearm information.

Quick Summary

California's law banning the distribution of firearm manufacturing code is being challenged as overly broad and a violation of First Amendment rights. The law defines 'computer manufacturing code' to include any 3D model or digital instructions, which critics argue is a form of protected speech, especially when the code is human-interpretable like G-code.

Chapters

  1. 00:07Intro & Sponsors
  2. 01:41Week's News Recap
  3. 02:00Legal Battles & Support
  4. 02:16California Lawsuit Explained
  5. 06:13California's Broad Law
  6. 07:09Overbroad & Vague Law
  7. 08:13Lawsuit Timeline Issues
  8. 09:16Counter-Suit & TRO Denial
  9. 11:41Third Circuit Precedent
  10. 12:56The Problem with 'Code'
  11. 14:07Defense Distributed Case Analysis
  12. 15:14Expressive Speech Argument
  13. 16:51Court's Fact-Finding Limitations
  14. 17:14States Regulating Home Guns
  15. 17:31Book Bans vs. Code Bans
  16. 19:20Human Interpretability of Code
  17. 20:03Stepping Back: Legal Framework
  18. 20:17Gun Making Context: 3D Models
  19. 21:11G-Code: Human Interpretable
  20. 22:30Squishy Law, Favorable Outcome
  21. 23:01Amended Complaint Filed
  22. 23:31The Joshiwashi 9 Model
  23. 25:21California's Law & Instructions
  24. 25:48Next Steps for California
  25. 26:08Interesting Legal Developments
  26. 26:24Nationwide Implications
  27. 27:00State Overreach Concerns
  28. 27:45Source of Power Questioned
  29. 27:51NRA Support & Florida Fight
  30. 28:07Need for Case Law
  31. 28:47Chaos in American Law
  32. 29:00Dual Sovereigns & Co-Equality
  33. 29:20Circumventing Restrictions
  34. 29:38Original Purpose of Federal Gov't
  35. 30:02Partisan Legal Battles

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main legal challenge against California's new firearm manufacturing code law?

The primary challenge is that California's law is considered overly broad and vague, potentially infringing on First Amendment rights by attempting to ban digital instructions for making firearms, which critics argue is a form of protected speech.

How does California's law define 'computer manufacturing code' for firearms?

California's law defines 'computer manufacturing code' extremely broadly to include any 3D model or digital instructions, such as images or emails, that can be used to manufacture a firearm, not just traditional CNC machine code.

What is the significance of the Defense Distributed v. SAF case in this legal context?

The Defense Distributed v. SAF case is relevant because it questioned whether computer code is inherently protected by the First Amendment, a precedent that California courts are referencing to argue against the protected status of firearm manufacturing code.

Why is G-code considered potentially protected speech in the context of firearm manufacturing?

G-code, used in CNC machining, is considered potentially protected speech because it is designed to be human-readable and interpretable, conveying instructions and meaning, which aligns with the criteria for expressive content under the First Amendment.

What are the broader implications of states trying to regulate digital firearm information across state lines?

This practice raises concerns about state overreach and the erosion of the principle of dual sovereignty, as states attempt to regulate activities and information originating and occurring entirely within other states, potentially disrupting interstate commerce and legal frameworks.

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