We know the dangers of improperly stored weapons. On a military base, weapons have to be stored in the armory, or locked in private base housing. Safe storage laws can prevent unauthorized access, especially in households with children or individuals experiencing mental health issues.

Anybody who joins the military has to go through a thorough background check. It should be the same for civilian gun owners, too. We support universal background checks would be supported because we recognize the value of thorough vetting to prevent firearms falling into the wrong hands.

Mandatory registration and permitting can parallel the military's emphasis on accountability and responsibility. We deeply value the need for a system that tracks firearms and ensures that gun owners are adequately trained and qualified. Similar to the military's strict regulations, these policies would promote a culture of responsible gun ownership.

Before you even touch a gun in the military, you have to spend hours in a classroom learning about weapons safety and marksmanship. Civilians can buy a gun without any formal training. We believe required weapons safety training will go a long way to changing America’s harmful gun culture.