Sen. Cory Booker Releases ‘Sweeping Plan’ To Combat Gun Violence

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey has unveiled what he calls “the most sweeping gun violence prevention proposal ever put forth by a presidential candidate.”

Earlier this week, Booker – who recently announced that he’s running for president in 2020 – released his plan to combat gun violence if he’s elected as POTUS.

Some gun rights advocates immediately threw water on the Democratic lawmaker’s plan, with one calling him “just another elitist hypocrite who thinks his life is more valuable and worthy of protection than ours.”

According to Booker, the plan starts with a simple idea: if you need a license to drive a car, you should need a license to buy and possess a gun.

Under this guiding philosophy, Booker is proposing that the U.S. create a national gun licensing program, which would include a sweeping block of policy changes aimed at “keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them, holding the gun industry accountable and reducing gun violence.”

Booker said that as president, he’d make "commonsense changes" to federal gun laws, including:

• “Requiring a license to purchase a gun that includes universal background checks”
• “Banning assault weapons”
• “Closing the loopholes that allow domestic abusers and people on terrorist watch lists to get their hands on a gun”

“I’m sick and tired of hearing thoughts and prayers for the communities that have been shattered by gun violence… it’s time for bold action,” charged Booker, who lives in Newark, where he once served as mayor.

“In my community, kids fear fireworks on the Fourth of July because they sound like gunshots,” Booker said. “In communities across the country, from Newark to Charlotte, from San Diego to Chicago, and everywhere in between, Americans are being killed and families are being torn apart. We must do better. We need to do better.”

Some gun rights advocates mocked Booker’s proposal, calling it out-of-touch with the realities of U.S. residents and gun owners.

“Corey Booker comes from New Jersey, whose 'solution' to gun crime is to restrict law-abiding citizens who are not part of the problem, instead of severely punishing gun criminals,” said Scott Bach, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs.

“Good people like Carol Bowne have been murdered while awaiting permits like those Booker now calls for nationally to boost his presidential bid, proving his lack of fitness for higher office,” Bach said.

Alexander Roubian, president of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society, dared Booker to put his money where his mouth is and expose himself to the same “danger” that the average citizen of the Garden State faces.

“Disarm your personal body guards and offices completely,” Roubian said of Booker, who has faced multiple threats to himself and his family over the years. “Otherwise you are just another elitist hypocrite who thinks his life is more valuable and worthy of protection than ours.”

• See related article: New Jersey Gun Advocates Say More Laws Won't Stop School Shootings

BOOKER’S PLAN TO FIGHT GUN VIOLENCE

The following statements come via Sen. Booker’s office, regarding his plan of action to combat gun violence if elected president of the United States.

Keep guns out of the wrong hands with gun licensing

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 safety and training standards necessary to own a gun. The proposal to enact minimum standards for gun ownership builds on rigorous evidence at the state level demonstrating the connection between gun licensing and reduction in gun violence.

Individuals could seek a gun license at a designated local office, widely available in urban and rural areas, similar to applying for or renewing a passport. They would submit fingerprints, provide basic background information during an appointment, and demonstrate completion of a certified gun safety course.

The FBI would then verify submission of required materials and run a comprehensive background check before issuing a federal gun license, after which the license-holder could freely purchase and own firearms. The license would be valid for up to five years before renewal with regular, automatic checks to flag non-compliance with license terms.

Recognizing that many states have already implemented state licensure programs, states could continue to do so, provided that they meet baseline federal standards.

Bring real regulation and oversight to gun manufacturers

Nowadays, there is more regulation over toy guns than real ones. While medicine, children’s toys, and any number of other consumer products are subject to regulation by the federal government, firearms are exempt. In other words, gun manufacturers have little incentive to make their products safer. Cory will work to close this loophole in federal oversight and allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ensure gun safety by making safety warnings and issuing recalls for faulty firearms.

End legal immunity that prevents victims of gun violence from seeking justice

While civil liability can be applied to sellers and manufacturers of nearly every product, as a result of a 2005 law the gun industry is immune from nearly all lawsuits. The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) allows the gun industry to ignore public safety implications of the misuse of their products such as gun trafficking. Cory will fight to end gun industry immunity by repealing PLCAA and allow victims of gun violence to have their day in court when a gun dealer or manufacturer has acted negligently.

Require handgun microstamping

Microstamping is technology that allows law enforcement to identify the source of ammunition used in crimes by making a shell casing traceable to the specific gun that fired the round. Unfortunately, in many cases, there is little evidence left behind at crime scenes, resulting in a homicide “clearance rate” of just 62 percent. Microstamping technology would allow law enforcement to trace crime guns as soon as a shell casing is found, helping to prevent future crimes from occurring. Cory will fight to require that microstamping technology be incorporated into new models of semi-automatic handguns sold in the United States.

Close the “Boyfriend Loophole”

While current law forbids a spouse or formerly married partner convicted of abuse or under a restraining order from purchasing a firearm, the same commonsense rule does not always extend to non-felony abuse at the hands of dating partners or former dating partners. The risk of homicide in a domestic violence incident increases by 500% with the presence of a gun. Cory will make closing the “boyfriend loophole” a top priority.

Ensure a background check on every gun sale by closing the loophole on gun show and online sales and the so-called “Charleston loophole.”

Background checks are foundational to any gun safety policy, but loopholes in current law allow individuals to purchase guns in private sales from strangers without a background check. Current law requires that federally licensed firearms dealers conduct background checks on individuals seeking to purchase a firearm in commercial transactions, but prohibited purchasers—such as criminals and domestic abusers—can exploit this loophole simply by finding an unlicensed seller. More than 90 percent of American voters—and nearly 70 percent of NRA members—support universal background checks.

Ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and bump stocks

Large capacity ammunition magazines and assault weapons have been present in many mass shootings in the US, made for no other purpose than to kill people quickly and efficiently.

Provide dedicated funding for research on gun violence as a public health issue

For the first time in modern history, the CDC announced that deaths from gun violence surpassed automobile accidents. Automobiles have become safer, in part, as a result of federal investment in research, but Congress has not provided federal funds to research gun safety. After nearly two decades of shameful inaction, Cory will make a significant investment into research on gun violence, including into evidence-based approaches to reducing gun suicide.

Modernize and strengthen the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

As a result of relentless lobbying by the gun lobby, the ATF is drastically underfunded and has its hands tied. According to reporting by the New York Times, in the year beginning in October 2016, while more than half of inspections of licensed firearm dealers were cited for violations, less than one percent led to the loss of a license. Cory will increase funding at ATF and will repeal the restrictive riders on ATF’s budget that restrict law enforcement’s ability to investigate crimes and crack down on gun dealers.

Support extreme risk prevention order laws

An extreme risk protection order (ERPO) empowers family members or law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals showing warning signs of hurting themselves or others. Cory will incentivize states to pass ERPO laws, along with robust due process protections.

Limit gun buyers to one handgun per month

Limiting bulk purchases of firearms is essential to combating gun trafficking. Under current federal law, which contains no limit on the number of firearms one can purchase, traffickers will make bulk purchases in states with weak gun laws and then resell in states with stricter rules.

Require firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms

Researchers estimate that the majority of lost or stolen firearms are never reported, which limits the ability of law enforcement to trace the source of guns used in crimes. When law enforcement is able to trace a crime gun to the purchaser of record, he/she will often claim that it was lost or stolen to deny responsibility. Cory will take the commonsense step to require gun owners to report their lost and stolen firearms, building on evidence that shows a correlation between the enactment of state reporting laws with major reductions in illegal gun trafficking.

Ramp up funding for community-based violence intervention programs

Cory will direct new federal funding to support evidence-based programs similar to those he supported as mayor of Newark. According to a recent report by the Giffords Law Center, adopting a strategy of relationship-driven social services and more narrowly-targeted law enforcement interventions allowed Oakland, CA to cut annual shootings and homicides in half.Additionally, Cory will provide grant funding to local law enforcement to combat gun violence to adopt new technology, including acoustic gunshot detection systems.

Increase trauma support for survivors and communities impacted by gun violence

Cory will fight for resources and support for families and communities impacted by the scourge of gun violence.

Call on the IRS to conduct an investigation into the NRA’s tax status

Currently, the NRA is exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Cory is calling on the IRS to investigate whether certain activities recently reported in the news media should lead to revocation of its tax-exempt status.

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