A bicameral proposal filed this week would require those who want to buy or receive a firearm to first get vetted by, then be issued a license from, the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Federal Firearm Licensing Act – introduced by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) in the Senate and U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03) in the House – would create a national licensing mandate for legal gun ownership. The license would have to be renewed every five years and include both refresher training and a subsequent background check.

In short, no license from Washington, no gun.

"If you need a license to drive a car, you should need a license to own and use a gun," said Booker, without acknowledging the ability to drive is not protected in the Constitution, unlike the right to keep and bear arms. 

The 11-page proposal gets a little spooky for 2A-minded gun owners when given a closer look. Besides an extensive background check, applicants for such a license would have to complete firearms training to "include a written test and hands-on training to ensure safe use and accuracy," and submit fingerprints. Further, the licensee would have to report to DOJ the make, model, and serial number of the gun being transferred, in effect forming a national gun registry over time. 

The measure has been introduced in the Senate as S.3212 with five co-sponsors and as H.R.6154 in the House, with both referred to their respective chamber's Judiciary committees.