The Debate over Gun Licensing as a Federal Mandate: Finding Common Ground.Is a federal mandate requiring gun licensing the right action to take to make us safer? If not, what could we do? Are there any ideas on which we can agree?

The Debate over Gun Licensing as a Federal Mandate: Finding Common Ground

When it comes to gun control, the debate often centers around the question of whether or not a federal mandate requiring gun licensing is the right action to take to make us safer. While some are in favor of such a mandate, others raise concerns that it could lead to a slippery slope of government overreach and infringe upon the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Nevertheless, it is possible to find common ground on gun control by exploring viable alternatives to a federal mandate (Lubin, 2016). For example, both sides of the debate could agree on the need for increased safety measures in the form of enhanced background checks. According to the National Criminal Background Check System, “the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) helps to ensure public safety by instantly determining whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms or explosives.” This system is already in place and is regularly used by firearms dealers to determine whether an individual is prohibited from owning guns due to their criminal history. While enhanced background checks alone may not completely eliminate gun violence, they could be one tool used by both sides to ensure public safety (Lubin, 2016). Cont…