A newly reintroduced bill from Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim should alarm every American who values the Second Amendment. Known as the Federal Firearm Licensing Act, this proposal would fundamentally transform gun ownership from a constitutional right into a federally licensed privilege.

At its core, the bill would make it illegal to purchase, receive, or even possess a firearm without first obtaining a federal license issued by the U.S. Attorney General. No license would mean no gun—period. That alone flips the Second Amendment on its head.

The licensing scheme goes far beyond background checks. Applicants would be required to complete mandatory training, pass written and live-fire tests, submit fingerprints, undergo extensive background investigations, and pre-identify the exact firearm they wish to purchase by make, model, and serial number. Each license would apply to one firearm only and expire after 30 days if unused, forcing Americans to repeat the process for every purchase.

Even more concerning, the Attorney General would have broad discretion to revoke licenses based on subjective criteria, including arrests without convictions, accusations, or any information deemed “relevant.” Once revoked, the bill mandates procedures to remove firearms from the individual, without requiring a criminal conviction—an outright reversal of due process.

The proposal also establishes ongoing federal monitoring of license holders and effectively creates a national gun registry by requiring detailed reporting of every transfer, including private sales. States would be pressured to adopt similar systems or submit their residents to federal control.

There is no historical tradition supporting federal gun licenses, pre-approval for specific firearms, or confiscation without conviction. Under Supreme Court precedent in Heller, McDonald, and Bruen, this bill would be constitutionally indefensible.

Even if it never passes, the danger lies in normalizing the idea that the federal government gets to decide who may exercise a fundamental right. Once a right requires permission, it is no longer a right—it’s a privilege, and privileges can be revoked.

Staying informed about proposals like this is essential, because rights only survive when people are willing to defend them.