AndrewBlakeWashington, D.C. – A group of six Democrats introduced a bill April 12 that would require people first obtain a license before purchasing a handgun.
The bill also provides federal funding through grants to help states pay for licensing programs that would be needed to be set up. However, the bill states to be eligible for the federal aid, the state must have laws requiring license applicants to be at least 21 years old.
Also, an individual would have to submit to a background investigation and a criminal history check for the state to receive federal funds.
The bill states that a license would be good for five years. After that, the gun owner would have to go through a re-licensing process to retain the ability to own a handgun.
Breitbart News reported on the gun bill.
The bill was introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (Connnecticut) along with Congresswoman Robin Kelly (Illinois), Congresswoman Alma Adams (North Carolina), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (Maryland), Senator Chris Murphy (Connecticut) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut).
The bill would also create federal grants to cover the costs for states to set up licensing program. The bill was called the Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act.
In a press release, Esty stated that nearly 33 Americans are murdered every day with a firearm.
“No single law will solve this problem,” Esty said in a press release. “But there are steps we can take to prevent some of this violence and reduce the number of tragedies. We have an obligation to act, which is why I have taken to the House floor several times to urge Congressional leaders to bring gun safety legislation up for a vote.”
A 2012 Congressional Research Service report stated that in 2007, the there was an estimated 106 million handguns in the U.S. with owners needing licenses.
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