Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper told MSNBC on Monday the country needs to implement more gun control measures than just universal background checks and magazine bans. He said a gun license, much like a car license, would be the next step.
The presidential candidate said he remembers when he saw the first footage from the 2012 mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora. The attack killed 12 and injured 70 people.
“Some of the most chilling images I’ve seen in my life. And we actually implemented universal background checks against the NRA, we limited the capacity of magazines. But I think we’ve got to go further,” Hickenlooper said.
“I think we’ve got to have a test like — if we require young people to study and take a test to be able to operate a vehicle, to get a driver’s license — why can’t we require young people before they buy a gun to study and learn how to handle and safely store firearms?” he asked.
Hickenlooper said many states have hunter safety courses that are required before being able to participate in the hunting season.
[Read more: Gillibrand: The NRA is ‘the worst organization in this country’]
Rival New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was the first candidate to propose implementing a national gun license. South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg also endorsed the idea. Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke was opposed to a nationwide gun license at first, but changed his position the next day.
