U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced the Federal Firearm Licensing Act, legislation that would require individuals to obtain a federal firearm license before purchasing or receiving a firearm.
The proposed legislation is aimed at reducing gun violence nationwide by establishing uniform licensing standards, including mandatory safety training, background checks, and periodic license renewal.
“Families are demanding Congress step up and deliver commonsense steps that prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands and protect innocent lives,” Senator Kim said. “Too many families are heartbroken, and too many communities have been torn apart by senseless gun violence. This legislation would implement basic guardrails for gun ownership and help save lives.”
Senator Booker said the bill addresses what he described as Congress’s failure to enact meaningful gun safety reforms amid continued mass shootings and daily gun violence. “If a license is required to drive a car, it should be required to own a gun,” Booker said, citing data showing firearm licensing laws significantly reduce gun-related deaths.
According to supporters of the bill, studies show states with firearm licensing laws have seen notable declines in gun violence. The Giffords Law Center reported that after Connecticut enacted a firearm licensing law, gun homicide rates fell by 28 percent and gun suicide rates dropped by 33 percent. In contrast, Missouri saw sharp increases in gun homicides and suicides after repealing its licensing law. A 2019 Quinnipiac University poll found that 77 percent of Americans support firearm licensing laws.
Under the Federal Firearm Licensing Act, individuals would be required to complete firearm safety training that includes both a written test and hands-on instruction. Licenses would need to be renewed every five years, with background checks conducted by the Attorney General prior to firearm purchases. The bill also allows for license revocation if an individual is deemed a danger to themselves or others and mandates regular FBI compliance checks.
The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). It is endorsed by advocacy groups including Giffords and the Community Justice Action Fund.
Vanessa Gonzalez, Vice President of Government and Political Affairs at Giffords, praised the bill, noting that while Americans must be licensed to drive, no national licensing requirement exists for firearms. “Licensing laws are an effective way to ensure guns are only purchased and used by responsible Americans,” she said.
Adzi Vokhiwa, Vice President of Policy at Community Justice, also voiced support, stating the bill would help prevent firearms from falling into the hands of individuals intent on causing harm.
Senator Kim previously introduced similar legislation while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, continuing his long-standing efforts to address gun violence at the federal level.
nj is (moderated)
If guns kill people
Pencils misspell words
Cars drive drunk
Spoons make people fat
I wouldn’t joke…life has become backwards and upside down…pigs may fly someday soon.
They already do fly in Trenton
New Legislation Would Require That Criminals Receive Hands-On Instruction On How to Safely Aim A Firearm At An Intended Target
Under New Legislation introduced in the US Senate this week, prospective gun owners, shooting enthusiasts and criminals would be required to receive hands-on instruction on how to correctly, and safely, aim a firearm at an intended target.
“Too often drug-dealers will hunt down their competitors in a parking lot and inadvertently knock off several unintended targets while they’re knocking off their intended targets, due to a lack of training and accuracy,” said NJ Senator Corey Booker. “However, under the new legislation that I introduced today, prospective shooters will receive extensive training on how to eliminate an intended target with just one bullet without inadvertently eliminating several unintended targets with several bullets.”
“This new legislation will ensure that shooters aren’t wiping out more people than they intend to wipe out,” Sen. Booker noted, “thereby protecting the shooters from receiving longer prison sentences then they would if the victim count in their shooting attacks was significantly lower.”
“Wow, I wish this legislation had been passed 35 years ago when I knocked off 45 people in that massive shooting attack,” said Greg Killstone, who received a long-term prison sentence for his crime, “because I intended to kill only 30 of those victims, but due to a lack of accuracy on my part and a lack of training, I accidentally bumped off 15 more people than I intended to bump off, which added ten more years to my prison sentence.”
Mr. Killstone offered up the following advice to anyone who is seeking a career in violent crime:
“Before you purchase a firearm and embark on a career of violence and mass shootings,” he said, “make sure you take some extensive firearm lessons, because, for every unintended target that you inadvertently eliminate while you’re eliminating an intended target, you will get additional time in prison.”
“Don’t skimp out on the shooting lessons,” Mr. Killstone warned, “because the accuracy you acquire during those shooting lessons will ensure that you never wipe out more people than you intend to wipe out, and that you spend less time in jail.”
They want to put a the burden on law abiding citizens, the criminals aren’t going to worry about a federal licensing act because they don’t follow the law or care about firearm safety. These clowns are out of there minds. Instead of beating us up again why not try to enforce the law already on the books, or find all the weapons Eric Holder sent out into the world.
Your comment is spot on. It circumvents all the think tank studies and political posturing about
” safety and saving lives”
Who really believes politicians truly care about “saving lives” over making a name for themselves by having laws in their name????
Stupid idea. Crazy people and criminals will still get guns. Just makes it hard for honest people to get guns. It’s people problem, not a gun problem.
This bill is unconstitutional, they’re just asking for lawsuits
Senator Spartacus comparing having a drivers license to a constitutional right. We certainly elect the best and brightest in NJ.
And how exactly does this law keep the guns out of bad guy’s hands? Bc criminals don’t play by our rules…a fact that lawmakers seem to overlook time and time again.
Do a background check
The aim is to stifle more American’s constitutional rights, not just in the states controlled by the democrats, the only federal law that should be passed regarding guns is reciprocal concealed carry. Guns dont kill people, it is mostly the criminals that the democrats free on to the streets that kill with guns.
Just another Democrat smoke screen. We already need a back ground and mental check to purchase a gun.license needs to be renewed every two years already its called a carry permit. All gun owners I know practice regularly for me 400 rounds a month. This will not reduce gun violence bad guys don’t abide by laws. Shootings are preformed with stolen guns. Gun owners are law abiding people.Why do they say renew every 5 years , When its now 2 years, Why because they have no idea what they are speaking about or they would nor say that. And Joe public citizen now believes that their Democrat law maker is trying to make a difference When they are just are redoing what is already done.
Booker redefines the word stupid!
Driving a car is a privilege, owning a gun is a constitutional right. How about we hold these criminals accountable for their actions, and bolster mental health services.