What is DEFCAD?
“DEFCAD is a repository for small arms technical data. It was built to serve as a public good and an ongoing, standardized archive of open source resources for the American rifleman and gunsmith.”
Questions & answers
What are 3D gun files?
“3D gun files are usually 3D models in CAD or CAM formats, and are not always printable. DEFCAD designates models in 3D-printable formats, as well as non-printable reference models and application-specific G-code.”
Are 3D gun files legal?
“In general, 3D gun files are legal to download and possess in the United States because they contain protectable expression under the First Amendment. As we’ve seen in decisions like Defense Distributed v. Blanche, the files and their use are also protected under the Second Amendment.”
What can be uploaded to DEFCAD?
“We invite you to share original and legacy firearms models, CAD/CAM data, blueprints and drawings.”
Who can access DEFCAD?
“Because 3D gun files for receivers, assemblies, and other items are subject to federal export regulations, DEFCAD is currently only available to U.S. persons. 3D gun files like the Hitchhiker, for example, are classified as “0E501” on the Commerce Control List. Other websites publish these files unrestricted at their peril.”
Data formats & record details
Download this profile and inspect its supporting evidence.
- Entity ID
- urn:readyscan:entity:defcad-q17051945
- Material fingerprint
- fnv1a64:fedad26d107aec1a
- Entity revision
- fnv1a64:56135f65bd344592
- Published
- 2026-10-25
- Modified
- 2026-10-25
- Source summary
- DEFCAD: American technology company. Website: https://www.defcad.com/
- Evidence record
- urn:readyscan:corpus:evidence:defcad-q17051945