New York Attorney General Letitia James says a federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction that will prevent the federal government from allowing downloadable 3D-printed gun files to be released on the web. 

The order is tied to a January lawsuit filed by a group of state attorneys general from across the United States. James' office says the litigation challenged the federal government's moves that would permit 3D-printed firearms to be posted online.

The 3D-printed firearms, sometimes called "ghost guns," do not have identifying features like a serial number. The files could be downloaded and used to make unregistered guns that are more challenging to detect, according to James' office.

In the injunction dated earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Richard Jones of the Western District of Washington said proliferation of 3D gun files on the web would likely make firearm embargoes ineffective, along with other efforts used to restrict the access to "uniquely dangerous weapons sought by those seeking to commit acts of terrorism or other serious crime."

"The court must acknowledge the grave reality that is likely to occur without injunctive relief," he wrote.

James issued a statement saying ghost guns threaten the safety of every person in the country and there must be a stop to the "senseless cycle" of gun deaths.

"We filed this lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from making it easier for our schools, our offices, and our places of worship from turning into killing fields," she said in a statement.

READ MORE: