Two House Democrats on Wednesday introduced legislation that would set up a federal firearms licensing system, and all gun sales and transfers to be registered on this system.
Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., introduced the bill after a recent wave of school shootings, but he has introduced similar bills in past congresses.
The Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act would prohibit unlicensed gun ownership, and would require a valid firearms license for transferring and receiving guns. It would require universal background checks for all sales and transfers of guns, and would make it easier for state and federal officials to trace guns.
It would direct the U.S. attorney general to create and maintain a “federal record of sale” system.
Rush’s office said the bill would protect people from the “unreasonable risk of injury and death” associated with the unrecorded sale and transfer of guns to unlicensed people.
“Americans are demanding that Congress take real action to prevent gun violence and we must address this issue head on and do our part to prevent the senseless mass killings and shooting deaths in cities across this nation,” he said.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., introduced a Senate companion bill, and said it would also help keep children safe.
“We owe it to the countless and growing number of firearm violence victims to take action,” she said. “I don’t want my daughters to have to grow up in a country that won’t protect them from firearm violence, which is why I’m proud to join Congressman Rush in this effort and we will keep pushing until all of America’s children are safe.”
