California Sen. Kamala Harris endorsed the idea to implement federal gun licensing in the aftermath of two mass shootings that occurred within 24 hours of each other over the weekend.
The mass shootings occurred in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, killing a total of 29 people.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked Harris if she likes the idea of gun licensing since rival Democratic presidential candidate New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was the first in the crowded field to propose the idea.
“Yeah, I think it’s a great idea. I think it’s a great idea, but again, Jake, my issue is — I do, I think it’s a great idea. There are a lot of great ideas,” Harris said Sunday.
Harris said the problem with trying to solve gun violence is not the lack of ideas, but simply the political courage to enact stricter gun laws.
“Listen — I want to say something else that I think is really, really important to also acknowledge and recognize. Those children who are having those drills are not registered with any political party and could give a you know what about what party you or I are registered with to vote. They are scared,” she added.
In a Medium post outlining his gun control plan, Booker said it is common sense to have licensing for guns, since people need to get licenses to drive cars.
“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 basic safety and training standards necessary to own a gun,” he said.
In order to get a gun license, applicants would need to submit fingerprints, provide basic background information, and demonstrate completion of a certified gun safety course. Once the FBI has completed a “comprehensive background check,” a license would then be given and remain valid for five years before it would need to be renewed.
