Rep. Chris Jacobs, NY-27, is introducing new legislation to create a licensing system for semi-automatic weapons.

Jacobs on Monday explained how the Federal Assault Weapons Licensing Act would put additional protections on accessing assault weapons.

“This bill, I believe, is a common sense piece of legislation designed as a compromise to ensure Second Amendment rights are protected while also putting additional safety protections in place to stop the wrong people from obtaining assault weapons,” Jacobs (R) said.

He is continuing his push in response to mass shootings this year in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas.

“We see, when we look at a majority of these mass shooting incidents, they are people who recently acquired that firearm,” said Jacobs.

He says if someone would like to buy a semi-automatic, assault weapon-style firearm, they would be required to obtain a license, and to do so, a person would have to pass an enhanced version of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS. 

“It doesn't get back with an answer right away because there's problems. There's duplicate names,” said Jacobs. “Right now, the way the law is, after I think it's three days … the gun is sold to the person without actually getting approved. What this does is, says, ‘that's not the case.’”

Jacobs says his bill allows more time for the NICS process and if it's not approved, there's an administrative process the person can go through. Under the act, the licensing process would also include fingerprinting and a mandatory firearm safety course. Finally, Jacobs says there would be a $130 fee dedicated to the Department of Justice to cover the costs of handling these applications. 

“There will be a grandfathering provision, so if you currently own an assault weapon, there will be no additional requirement on you,” he said.

Jacobs says if you're in law enforcement, retired law enforcement or a veteran, you will be able to obtain a license.

He says if a state currently has a licensing regiment that's significant enough, there would not be any additional requirements.

The bill would also allow those without a license to use a semi-automatic weapon at a shooting range or for hunting if a license holder supervises them, and allow non-license holders to assume a weapon if it's needed to prevent imminent death or serious harm to someone else.