The plan starts with a simple idea: if you need a license to drive a car, you should need a license to buy and possess a gun. Cory’s plan would implement a national gun licensing program. A mounting body of evidence shows that gun licensing programs are effective at reducing gun violence.
For example, in Connecticut, researchers found a 40 percent drop in gun homicides and 15 percent reduction in firearm suicides after the state passed a law that required a purchasing license for handguns. Massachusetts, a state with a gun license program, had 3.6 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2016, compared to neighboring New Hampshire, which had a gun death rate of 9.9 per 100,000 people and does not have a comprehensive gun licensing program.
“In my community, kids fear fireworks on the Fourth of July because they sound like gunshots. In communities across the country, from Newark to Charlotte, from San Diego to Chicago, and everywhere in between, Americans are being killed and families are being torn apart. We must do better. We need to do better.
“My plan to address gun violence is simple – we will make it harder for people who should not have a gun to get one,” said Cory Booker. “As president, we will make commonsense changes to our gun laws such as requiring a license to purchase a gun that includes universal background checks, banning assault weapons, and closing the loopholes that allow domestic abusers and people on terrorist watch lists to get their hands on a gun. I am sick and tired of hearing thoughts and prayers for the communities that have been shattered by gun violence – it is time for bold action.”
Cory’s plan to end the epidemic of gun violence includes a comprehensive list of policy changes he would pursue as president that will keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them, hold the gun industry accountable, and reduce gun violence. See below for details:
CORY’S PLAN TO END THE EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE
Keep guns out of the wrong hands with gun licensing:
Just as a driver’s license demonstrates a person’s eligibility and proficiency to drive a car, a gun license demonstrates that a person is eligible and can meet certain safety and training standards necessary to own a gun. The proposal to enact minimum standards for gun ownership builds on rigorous evidence at the state level demonstrating the connection between gun licensing and reduction in gun violence.
Individuals could seek a gun license at a designated local office, widely available in urban and rural areas, similar to applying for or renewing a passport. They would submit fingerprints, provide basic background information during an appointment, and demonstrate completion of a certified gun safety course.
The FBI would then verify submission of required materials and run a comprehensive background check before issuing a federal gun license, after which the license-holder could freely purchase and own firearms. The license would be valid for up to five years before renewal with regular, automatic checks to flag non-compliance with license terms.
Recognizing that many states have already implemented state licensure programs, states could continue to do so, provided that they meet baseline federal standards.
Bring real regulation and oversight to gun manufacturers:
Nowadays, there is more regulation over toy guns than real ones. While medicine, children’s toys, and any number of other consumer products are subject to regulation by the federal government, firearms are exempt. In other words, gun manufacturers have little incentive to make their products safer. Cory will work to close this loophole in federal oversight and allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ensure gun safety by making safety warnings and issuing recalls for faulty firearms.
End legal immunity that prevents victims of gun violence from seeking justice:
While civil liability can be applied to sellers and manufacturers of nearly every product, as a result of a 2005 law the gun industry is immune from nearly all lawsuits. The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) allows the gun industry to ignore public safety implications of the misuse of their products such as gun trafficking. Cory will fight to end gun industry immunity by repealing PLCAA and allow victims of gun violence to have their day in court when a gun dealer or manufacturer has acted negligently.
Require handgun microstamping:
Microstamping is technology that allows law enforcement to identify the source of ammunition used in crimes by making a shell casing traceable to the specific gun that fired the round. Unfortunately, in many cases, there is little evidence left behind at crime scenes, resulting in a homicide “clearance rate” of just 62 percent. Microstamping technology would allow law enforcement to trace crime guns as soon as a shell casing is found, helping to prevent future crimes from occurring. Cory will fight to require that microstamping technology be incorporated into new models of semi-automatic handguns sold in the United States.
Close the “Boyfriend Loophole”:
While current law forbids a spouse or formerly married partner convicted of abuse or under a restraining order from purchasing a firearm, the same commonsense rule does not always extend to non-felony abuse at the hands of dating partners or former dating partners. The risk of homicide in a domestic violence incident increases by 500% with the presence of a gun. Cory will make closing the “boyfriend loophole” a top priority.
Ensure a background check on every gun sale by closing the loophole on gun show and online sales and the so-called “Charleston loophole.”
Background checks are foundational to any gun safety policy, but loopholes in current law allow individuals to purchase guns in private sales from strangers without a background check. Current law requires that federally licensed firearms dealers conduct background checks on individuals seeking to purchase a firearm in commercial transactions, but prohibited purchasers—such as criminals and domestic abusers—can exploit this loophole simply by finding an unlicensed seller. More than 90 percent of American voters—and nearly 70 percent of NRA members—support universal background checks.
Ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and bump stocks:
Large capacity ammunition magazines and assault weapons have been present in many mass shootings in the US, made for no other purpose than to kill people quickly and efficiently.
Provide dedicated funding for research on gun violence as a public health issue:
For the first time in modern history, the CDC announced that deaths from gun violence surpassed automobile accidents. Automobiles have become safer, in part, as a result of federal investment in research, but Congress has not provided federal funds to research gun safety. After nearly two decades of shameful inaction, Cory will make a significant investment into research on gun violence, including into evidence-based approaches to reducing gun suicide.
Modernize and strengthen the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF):
As a result of relentless lobbying by the gun lobby, the ATF is drastically underfunded and has its hands tied. According to reporting by the New York Times, in the year beginning in October 2016, while more than half of inspections of licensed firearm dealers were cited for violations, less than one percent led to the loss of a license. Cory will increase funding at ATF and will repeal the restrictive riders on ATF’s budget that restrict law enforcement’s ability to investigate crimes and crack down on gun dealers.
Support extreme risk prevention order laws:
An extreme risk protection order (ERPO) empowers family members or law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals showing warning signs of hurting themselves or others. Cory will incentivize states to pass ERPO laws, along with robust due process protections.
Limit gun buyers to one handgun per month:
Limiting bulk purchases of firearms is essential to combating gun trafficking. Under current federal law, which contains no limit on the number of firearms one can purchase, traffickers will make bulk purchases in states with weak gun laws and then resell in states with stricter rules.
Require firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms:
Researchers estimate that the majority of lost or stolen firearms are never reported, which limits the ability of law enforcement to trace the source of guns used in crimes. When law enforcement is able to trace a crime gun to the purchaser of record, he/she will often claim that it was lost or stolen to deny responsibility. Cory will take the commonsense step to require gun owners to report their lost and stolen firearms, building on evidence that shows a correlation between the enactment of state reporting laws with major reductions in illegal gun trafficking.
Ramp up funding for community-based violence intervention programs:
Cory will direct new federal funding to support evidence-based programs similar to those he supported as mayor of Newark. According to a recent report by the Giffords Law Center, adopting a strategy of relationship-driven social services and more narrowly-targeted law enforcement interventions allowed Oakland, CA to cut annual shootings and homicides in half.Additionally, Cory will provide grant funding to local law enforcement to combat gun violence to adopt new technology, including acoustic gunshot detection systems.
Increase trauma support for survivors and communities impacted by gun violence:
Cory will fight for resources and support for families and communities impacted by the scourge of gun violence.
Call on the IRS to conduct an investigation into the NRA’s tax status:
Currently, the NRA is exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Cory is calling on the IRS to investigate whether certain activities recently reported in the news media should lead to revocation of its tax-exempt status.
Finally, beginning on Day One in office, Cory will take executive action to build on ongoing efforts and take concrete steps forward–closing dangerous loopholes in gun sales, cracking down on unscrupulous dealers and gun manufacturers, and investing in communities impacted by gun violence.
School shootings occur because of bad parenting, bad moral values, mental illiness and many other reasons. It’s not the gun that’s the problem. You leftists and your bad morals are the biggest contributors to school shootings.
We’ve had guns for 200 yrs the poor parenting and moral values decline is why the school shootings occur. You leftists are going to get your clocks cleaned by trump in 2020. No one will stand for gun confiscation in the United states.
Lol, right. Hey we should make laws against drunk driving, I see alot of Busch light cans on the gravel surrounding our community. We should make laws against stabbing guys at the liquor store, laws against murder and attempted murder. Laws against selling cocaine laced with fentinol. Laws against being addicted to meth. I bet some laws like that would just clean Mason City up in no time. I do believe if we just make more laws we will solve our problems entirely. If you support gun control you sort of are PRO CRIME. You’re actually a stupid person and it’s humiliating that you call yourself an adult. It’s funny that liberals ignore the intitial intention of “gun control” it was a Democrat scheme to keep forearms out of the hands of black citizens after they gained their “freedom” back in the day. Ya racist Democrats, the ones who started the KKK invented gun control out of racist fear. Mr Booker is in the very least disconnected. His little plan is probably the kind of abusive tyrannical legislation that turns law abiding citizen’s, responsible adults into outlaw’s. The founding fathers of this country where outlaw’s by definition. They where true patriot’s, do you think people are just going to cow to and comply with abusive unconstitutional and illegal legislation? Have fun telling Missouri what to do on 2a rights lol. Those guys wanna start ignoring the nfa and punishing leo that enforce gun control. We won’t see a president Booker anyhow. So there’s not much to worry about here. If he does well at all it’ll be because people just want Obama 2.0. not based on anything he is about or has done. The scary thing about America is all these idiots that want to give away our freedom’s and a nanny government to make all their choices for them.
“More than 90 percent of American voters—and nearly 70 percent of NRA members—support universal background checks.”
Really? Got proof of that to back up your statement?
I support many pro-firearm organizations and not once do I ever recall being asked if I supported “universal background checks” that Mr. Booker touts as being the way to go.
My federal license was written over 200 years ago and it’s called the 2nd Amendment, Cory Booker is a joke!
I want background checks, drug testing and term limits for congressmen and senators. How about that?
The realality in all this gun control legislation is just how stupid it makes its authors look when it fails! What these fools don’t seem to understand is that when a criminal wants break a law and needs a gun to do it, they’ll find a gun! It doesn’t have to be licensed, it won’t be registered, but it will shoot. When criminals break a law, they do not care how many other laws they break doing it.
“A mounting body of evidence shows that gun licensing programs are effective at reducing gun violence.”
All one has to do is look at the laws in Chicago prior to 2008. The State of IL required an FOID to own a gun. The City banned hand guns.
Yet, with all those restrictions, gun violence existed. Criminals had guns (and I bet they did not have an FOID).
Now as far as liability (or “Justice”), legally, it has no teeth. You can no more apply any liability to a gun maker than you could with a company who makes knives, when they are used illegally. Basically, you cannot hold one party liable, for the actions of another.
Do we hold liable companies that make baseball bats, because someone bludgeoned a person with one? It’s silliness.
You all know I abhor violence and killing. Yet, we have to be realistic, criminals by their very nature, will NOT follow our laws.
And people who are mentally ill (and should not have firearms), have been swept under the carpet, thanks to social policy decades ago, as well as a lack of funding now to treat them, much less to identify them.
There are people walking the streets today that lack the mental capacity to know right from wrong, and/or have the preponderance for violent behaviors. Mr. Booker ignores that underlying issue with crime, and in many cases, illegal gun incidents by people who should not have access to them.
He is mistaken when he targets the stable, upstanding citizens because of the actions of a few.
Let’s go back to,“End legal immunity that prevents victims of gun violence from seeking justice:”
Then this should be the norm for all industries.
Is that what you’re saying?
So we should be able to “seek justice” against pharmaceutical companies( for bad meds and people misusing them(imagine that lawsuit and the money that could put in the coffers)), biotechnology companies( when things get used incorrectly), and medical device manufacturers( again when things are not used the intended purpose).
We will never see him “champion” any of that, they are the Big dog industries of his home state.
Where in the hell has this guy been. There are so many flaws in his “gun violence prevention plan” that it’s pathetic. He should be truly embarrassed that he even said it.
“CORY’S PLAN TO END THE EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE
Keep guns out of the wrong hands with gun licensing:”
So criminals will abide by this. They will go buy a license to own their firearms… YEA—-NO.
“Bring real regulation and oversight to gun manufacturers:” Less people killed with guns than hammers, need to regulate the hammer manufactures better.
“End legal immunity that prevents victims of gun violence from seeking justice:” So we can sue big oil for the smog too, right? Don’t forget the car manufactures for car crashes( which kill more people than guns in the US). Airplane manufacturers etc..
“Ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and bump stocks:” By reading varying definitions(different dictionaries), I have to say that it is so vague that they can ban anything they want if that ever pasted. Bump stocks, weren’t they already banned? And finally what constitutes high-capacity? To me that means a 50+ round magazine.
“Require handgun microstamping:” Sure, NOBODY knows how to change a firing pin. That would be the only feasible place to have the stamp. For those that say “Well only a gunsmith…” then who is going to be responsible for the weakened pins, because of the stamping?
“Close the “Boyfriend Loophole”:” Never heard of this one myself. but would agree it could be a problem.
“Ensure a background check on every gun sale by closing the loophole on gun show and online sales and the so-called “Charleston loophole.” The gun show loophole is an outright lie just like the online sale loophole is. At a gun show, they still have to call you in for a background check. Online gun sales have to be shipped to a FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE holder, that before they can give you the gun, MUST call in your background check.
So there is some of the debunking that is needed during campaign time.
More Bull Shit from the Liberal Communist.
You get an Amen from me!
An amen based on what? Can you tell us how any of what Booker said will HELP? Can you tell us why gun’s are somehow bad? If you’re provided with REAL numbers regarding the defensive use of gun’s will you deny the benefit? If you’re educated on the truth of the numbers put out concerning gun crime will you deny and complain if we sit here and spend time trying to open your mind will you act like a child and name call and argue? Have you any personal experience with firearms? Can you grasp the concept that firearms are just items and don’t hurt people? Can you wrap your mind around the fact that everyday people enjoy their firearms responsibly? That it’s fun to Target shoot with family and friends? It’s a bonding experience. Some of us enjoy hunting and that’s doing nothing but providing benefit to the environment and everything in it? Do you just hate gun’s because you’re a follower and all the cool kids told you if you don’t you’re a Nazi or cis gender something or other? Sometimes I really wonder if any single liberal has an original thought come to their own mind or if it’s mob mentality 100% of the time. You guys are a sad generation, really it’s disappointing.
Stop with the apostrophes..”gun’s”?? WTF school did you attend?
Having said that, I agree with you wholeheartedly.
You’re retarded.
Says a MORON!