Gregory Kielma • December 30, 2025
A Critical Look at Senator Booker’s Federal Firearm Licensing Proposal
Senator Cory Booker
A Critical Look at Senator Booker’s Federal Firearm Licensing Proposal
Gregg Kielma
12/30/3035
Kielma says these are my thoughts:
The federal government's proposed law for firearm licensing should be opposed. My thought process and why I think this way. Have a comment? Please let me know.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK
Senator Cory Booker’s push for a federal firearm licensing system has drawn intense criticism from gun rights advocates, constitutional scholars, and everyday Americans who view the proposal as an unnecessary and intrusive expansion of federal power. While the plan is framed as a public safety measure, many argue that it represents a sweeping federal overreach that would burden law abiding citizens while doing little to deter criminal activity.
A Federal License: A Solution in Search of a Problem
Critics argue that Senator Booker’s proposal treats responsible gun owners as if they are the source of America’s crime problem. The plan would require every firearm owner in the country to obtain a federal license — a process involving fingerprinting, mandatory interviews, background checks, and recurring renewals.
Opponents contend that this approach flips the presumption of innocence on its head. Instead of targeting criminals, it places the heaviest burden on citizens who already follow the law, train regularly, and store their firearms responsibly.
A Bureaucratic System That Punishes the Law Abiding
One of the strongest criticisms is the sheer scale of bureaucracy the proposal would create. A federal licensing system would require a massive new administrative structure, likely resulting in delays, inconsistent enforcement, and significant taxpayer expense.
Gun rights advocates warn that such a system could become a de facto barrier to exercising a constitutional right. If the government can delay, deny, or revoke a license based on subjective criteria, critics argue that the right to keep and bear arms becomes a privilege granted by the state — not a right protected from it.
Criminals Don’t Apply for Licenses
Opponents also point out a fundamental flaw: criminals, by definition, do not follow licensing laws. They do not submit fingerprints, sit for interviews, or register their firearms.
Critics argue that the proposal focuses on the wrong population. Instead of addressing the root causes of violence — such as gang activity, illegal trafficking, and repeat offenders — the plan targets the people least likely to commit crimes: responsible gun owners who already comply with existing regulations.
A Threat to Privacy and Personal Freedom
Another major concern is the creation of a centralized federal database of gun owners. Critics warn that such a system could expose citizens to privacy risks, data breaches, or political misuse.
Many Americans are uncomfortable with the idea of the federal government maintaining detailed records of who owns firearms, what they own, and where they live. Opponents argue that this level of surveillance is incompatible with a free society.
A Step Toward National Registration and Beyond
For many, the licensing proposal is seen as a gateway to more restrictive federal measures. Critics fear that once a national licensing system is established, future lawmakers could expand it into mandatory registration, limits on ownership, or even confiscation.
While supporters of the proposal dismiss these concerns as exaggerated, opponents argue that history — both in the U.S. and abroad — shows that licensing often precedes more aggressive restrictions.
Kielma’s Parting Shot: A Policy That Misses the Mark
Senator Booker’s federal licensing proposal is presented as a bold step toward reducing gun violence. But critics argue that it misses the mark entirely. Instead of focusing on criminals and illegal activity, it places new burdens on responsible citizens, expands federal bureaucracy, and risks eroding constitutional protections.
For those who believe in responsible firearm ownership, training, and education — values at the core of Tactical K Training — the proposal represents a misguided approach that punishes the wrong people while failing to address the real drivers of violence.
Gregg Kielma
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
