WE MUST ACT
- NOT ONE MORE mass shooting
- NOT ONE MORE child accidentally shooting herself or a sibling
- NOT ONE MORE domestic partner shot during an argument
We must require a Firearm License in order to purchase, own, possess, handle, or operate a firearm.
Earning the Firearm License verifies that its bearer has demonstrated firearm knowledge and skills, passed a medical and mental health assessment, and a background check.
Operating a Vehicle (Analogy in Support of Firearm Licensure and Registration)
- Just like obtaining a driver’s license, it is important to ensure the prospective gun owner has demonstrated competency. Nearly all of the civilized world requires driver’s license to operate a vehicle. Drivers must pass written and practical exams to obtain their licenses.
- The driver is fined when rules are violated. And the license is revoked when violations are too frequent or too extreme.
- States require a person to be physically and mentally able to safely operate a vehicle. Eyesight is checked, seizure disorders must be medically stabilized, etc. In addition, recently many states are requiring physical exams of elderly drivers to ensure they are still fit to drive safely.
- Many states also have steps to full licensure, as evidenced by driver’s permits and “Cinderella” licenses which restrict who must or can be in the car with an inexperienced driver and when they can drive.
- Vehicles are registered with the state and insurance is required to operate them.
The 2nd Amendment Argument
Regarding infringing upon the right to bear arms, automobiles didn't exist when the constitution was written, but over time and with modernization, laws evolved to ensure public safety. This legislature in no way infringes upon the right to have or use firearms. It merely ensures the person using the firearm is a law-abiding citizen trained to do so.
Our Proposal for state adoption and federal mandate
A valid Firearm License must be produced when purchasing a firearm (hand gun, pistol, revolver, semi-automatic, shotgun, rifle, etc.), and/or ammunition in any venue (retail store, online, private sale, “gun shows”, etc.) Gun ranges will require production of a valid Firearm License, Firearm Permit, or Adolescent Firearm Permit to use their facilities. Purchase of historical or collector firearms, as defined by experts, will be exempt.
As with driver’s licensure, this will remain a state’s responsibility. However, federal funding should be attached to it, to motivate states appropriately to pass the gun ownership requirements.
1.) To Obtain the Firearm License, the Applicant Must:
Firearm License renewal will be required at regular intervals, as recommended by experts, but not longer than 10 years.
3.) Possessing a Firearm Without a License or Permit
4.) Licensure and Adolescents
We do not allow untrained drivers to operate a vehicle, even under supervision. The same must apply to firearm use.
5.) Registration of Firearms
6.) Firearm Liability Insurance As with vehicle ownership, insurance is a responsibility of law-abiding gun-owners.
7.) Funding Licensure
There are costs involved with enacting these measures. The fees below will offset the costs to the states.
8.) Post-Licensure Activity Affecting License Status
The Firearm License may be flagged, suspended, or revoked in circumstances determined by experts. This will include, at least
As with driver’s licensure, this will remain a state’s responsibility. However, federal funding should be attached to it, to motivate states appropriately to pass the gun ownership requirements.
1.) To Obtain the Firearm License, the Applicant Must:
- Attend, actively participate in, and successfully pass classroom instruction. This will be in the range of 16 hours. Curriculum is to be determined by experts, but is similar to concealed carry classes required by certain states already. It should at least include, how to safely and legally purchase, handle, store, clean, transport, and transfer weapons, along with “shoot/don't shoot” interactive video instruction.
- Students earn a Firearm Permit after passing the classroom portion, which can be used for practicing at and transporting firearms to and from a shooting range. Firearm Permit holders must be directly supervised by a Firearm License bearer, aged 21 or older.
- After a period of time (minimum 5 days, maximum 90 days) Firearm Permit holders advance to the practical portion of instruction at a gun range. Again, experts will design this curriculum, but it should include, at least, demonstration of safe handling of weapons, following range rules, competency in target shooting, disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly of firearms, etc.
- If the practical portion is failed, remediation and a 30 day waiting period will occur, before the practical session can be reattempted.
- Complete a basic medical physical by a licensed healthcare professional within the past year.
- Undergo, and pass, a 1-hour psychological evaluation.
- Pass an appropriate background check.
Note: Instructors and mental health professionals will be trained and have demonstrated state and/or federal competency to provide legitimacy and standardized approach to licensure.
Firearm License renewal will be required at regular intervals, as recommended by experts, but not longer than 10 years.
3.) Possessing a Firearm Without a License or Permit
- Possessing, using, transporting, purchasing (etc.) a firearm without a Firearm License or Permit will result in significant fines, community service, and delay in obtaining legal firearm licensure.
- Repeated violations result in increased fines and potentially imprisonment.
- The use of firearms in commission of another crime increases the punishment of the crime significantly.
4.) Licensure and Adolescents
We do not allow untrained drivers to operate a vehicle, even under supervision. The same must apply to firearm use.
5.) Registration of Firearms
- As with vehicles, firearms must be purchased legally and registered. This information will be stored in state and national databases to facilitate criminal investigation involving firearms and track ownership.
- Firearm registration must be renewed every 10 years or when ownership transfers.
- Experts will determine factors that may need follow up. For example, the gun collector who owns 20 historical firearms would be treated differently than someone who purchased a significant number of guns and ammunition within a certain period of time. There is public safety precedent for this typed of legislation. President Bush signed the Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of 2007 into law, which regulates the sale and purchase of the explosive fertilizer yet ensures agricultural use is not affected.
6.) Firearm Liability Insurance As with vehicle ownership, insurance is a responsibility of law-abiding gun-owners.
- Liability insurance must be obtained at the time of registration and maintained. Liability experts and actuaries will determine reasonable and affordable coverage requirements.
- Insurers will be required to notify state and federal databases if coverage lapses.
7.) Funding Licensure
There are costs involved with enacting these measures. The fees below will offset the costs to the states.
8.) Post-Licensure Activity Affecting License Status
The Firearm License may be flagged, suspended, or revoked in circumstances determined by experts. This will include, at least
- Activity that originally would have caused failure of the background check.
- Being found guilty, pleading “guilty” or “no contest” to certain criminal activity, such as domestic violence, stalking, harassment, violent crime, terrorist activity, etc.
- Voluntarily or non-voluntarily entering inpatient mental health care.
- Having a restraining order placed upon him or her, etc.
- Significant criminal and/or repeated misdemeanor or civil violations.
Note: Review and retesting may be a part of obtaining licensure after suspension.
- Registering currently owned firearms will be free of change. Proof of ownership or purchase receipts are not required to register currently owned firearms within the first 18 months following enactment of the law.
- Current firearms owners must obtain licensure if they want to purchase firearms in the future or use a firing range.
- People over the age of 50 at the time of enactment will be exempt from licensure laws.