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Warren Endorses Ban on Gun Purchases Without License, Registration

The senator also wants assault weapons ban, other gun control measures

Sen. Elizabeth Warren / Getty Images
July 2, 2019

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) endorsed a national gun licensing proposal as well as a national gun registry on Monday.

In a series of tweets, the Democratic presidential candidate said she would support a gun licensing system, which would ban anyone from purchasing a gun unless they first obtain a special government permit. Such a system is currently employed by a handful of states. A national registration system would also make it illegal to possess a firearm without first registering it with the federal government.

When asked by Parkland survivor and gun control activist David Hogg whether she supported "#LicensingAndRegistration," Warren responded by tweeting "Yes, I do!"

She then laid out her support for other gun control measures.

"I'm also fighting to: Ban Assault Weapons," Warren tweeted. "Prevent domestic abusers from legally obtaining guns. End the gun show loophole."

Firearms transactions are not regulated based on where they occur, but by who is selling or purchasing. Under current federal law, those convicted of domestic abuse misdemeanors are barred from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition—though some have advocated for expanding the definition of what qualifies as a domestic abuse conviction.

Federal law requires background checks for nearly all sales by licensed dealers, while sales between private citizens on the used market generally do not require a federal background check. Gun shows enjoy no special carve-out in federal law.

Warren's embrace of stricter gun control proposals come after fellow candidate Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) announced his support for a gun licensing program, congressman Eric Swalwell (D., Calif.) endorsed confiscation of certain firearms, and former vice president Joe Biden said he would ban the sale of every gun currently available in the United States in favor of so-called "smart guns."