Bill would require gun owners to have liability insurance or pay $10,000 fine

[flamin lib]

Gee, the gunners are all up in arms (pun intended) over this bill that would require all gun owners to carry liability insurance for injuries/damages caused by their gun. See, they believe that the cost of said insurance would price gun ownership out of reach for some gun owners. Now why would that be? A quick google news search of 'accidental shooting' got these five headlines:

Police: Accidental shooting of 3-year-old at home leads to family dispute, second shooting at Grand Strand Medical Center
Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/crime/article22706784.html#storylink=cpy

4-year-old NY girl dies after accidental shooting
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/31/4-year-old-ny-girl-dies-after-accidental-shooting/

Newton County deputy injured in accidental shooting at gun range
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/newton-county-deputy-injured-in-accidental-shootin/nmRC9/

Tacoma teen charged with murder for death of friend apparently shot by mistake
http://q13fox.com/2015/05/30/tacoma-teen-charged-with-murder-for-death-of-friend-apparently-shot-by-mistake/

Accidental shooting in Herriman injures 2
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=34840925

None of these were criminals. Every one of them required an EMT ride to the Emergency room and some a protracted stay at the Hospital. A short EMT ride is over a $1,000. A treat and release at the Emergency room is $10,000, more if trauma care is needed, up to $20,000. The average cost of a gunshot wound is $300,000 in medical treatment unless it is fatal in which case it's a bargain at about $30,000. Protracted trauma treatment can run nearly a million dollars. Who pays for this if there isn't enough insurance coverage to the injured? We the People do. To the tune of about $12 billion a year for legal, court, medical and enforcement expenses. How much of this could be shifted to the gun owners? I can't say in real terms but for me, any help with this would be welcome.

The Firearm Risk Protection Act, introduced Friday by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, (D N.Y.) would shift that cost to firearms owners. This is the second time it has been introduced and as before the usual suspects are screaming NO!

[DetlefK]

1. Sound familiar? "People don't need health-insurances. There are emergency-rooms."

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Sounds reasonable. What's the beef?

Oh, wait, I'm sure someone will pop over and enlighten us.

[Politicalboi]

3. GREAT news

Now if we can only get them to leave precious at home while shopping.

[Romeo.lima333]

4. sounds good

[Bettie]

5. Honestly, it is a good idea

It doesn't keep people from owning guns, just makes them take responsibility for what happens with their guns.

[freshwest]

6. I got shouted down years ago saying this at DU. I referred to responsibility, as if driving a car.

Which can be a lethal weapon.

Sancho has a common sense standard and since then he's posted it several times.

People Control, Not Gun Control

This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70’s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that weren’t secured are out of control in our society. As such, here’s what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. I’m not debating the legal language, I just think it’s the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because it’s clear that they should never have had a gun.

1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.

2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.

3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.

4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learner’s license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)

5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.

6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.

7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).

8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.

9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.

10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.

Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a driver’s license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141052293#post12

The arguments against it fail.

If one wants to say they are a 'responsible gun owner,' they have no problem with this. The gambit that 'criminals don't follow the rules' also fails, as most of the shooting mentioned on DU are by 'law abiding' gun owners who are 'responsible.'

This parts ways with those who are buying toys like they are the newest consumer product craze, which is what they are in some demographics. This is more like the milieu when I was growing up and it worked to prevent the kind of foolishess and disregard for life we now see.

Note: Many of the regulations that Sancho suggests, are resisted by the NRA now. And by militants who have one of several unlawful other purposes in mind and don't want to admit they are contemplating mayhem or treason. Others are being passed by state legislatures who are going with ALEC (Koch) lobbyists or trying to attract the votes of extremists.

[BrotherIvan]

7. If you have money to buy a gun and bullets

Often *multiple* guns, you can damn well buy insurance. If they want to exclude hunting rifles and such, fine. But every hand gun at least should require a permit, gun safe, and insurance. And if you conceal carry, your rates should be commensurate with that.

Will it pass? No. Should it be supported by everyone who wants to stop gun violence, even gun owners? HELL YES!!!

[SoapBox]

8. I like it!

[valerief]

9. If Jesus wanted guns to have insurance, he'd have given guns insurance.

I think I have the ammosexual logic down pat.

[groundloop]

10. Somehow or another common sense will be seen as interfering with 2nd amendment

Given all the harm a gun can cause it makes perfect sense to hold owners responsible.

[Mr.Bill]

11. It will be interesting to see which side the NRA is on.

Since they sell this type of insurance.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

12. If a dem brought up the bill, they will be against it.

[libdem4life]

13. Now, if we could require cops to get their own E & O/Professional Insurance, we'd likely have less

victims of police abuse.

[Skittles]

14. make those assholes accountable

ABSOLUTELY

[jimmy the one]

15. nra endorsed, but, quite limited

FL: .. gunners are all up in arms (pun intended) over this bill that would require all gun owners to carry liability insurance for injuries/damages caused by their gun. See, they believe that the cost of said insurance would price gun ownership out of reach for some gun owners.

I wonder if gunnuts are just all upset that it might be offered by 'outsiders' to the gun lobby & gun industry, & their endorsements? (although quite limited to your overall concerns, FL)

Additional liability protection for when you're hunting or shooting.
Personal Firearms Liability Insurance for NRA members
Most homeowner's policies fall far short of adequate protection for liability claims. We recognized this gap in coverage and created a custom plan to protect National Rifle Association members.
NRA-endorsed Personal Firearms Liability Insurance protects you against liability suits up to $1,000,000 for any injuries you unintentionally cause while hunting or trapping on public or private land. This coverage also covers you while shooting in competitions or at private shooting ranges.
The NRA-endorsed Personal Firearms Liability Insurance provides:
•Coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by the use of a firearm, air gun, bow & arrow, or trapping equipment when you are legally obligated for damages
•Most defense costs in addition to the liability limit—even if the lawsuit is false
•Liability limit options from $100,000 up to $1,000,000
Annual Liability Limit Options:$47 annually: $100,000 combined single limit
$67 annually: $250,000 combined single limit
$100 annually: $500,000 combined single limit
$200 annually:$1,000,000 combined single limit
This NRA-endorsed insurance offers peace of mind that your personal assets are covered.
Protect yourself with Personal Firearms Liability Insurance. Buy online today!
Lockton Affinity, LLC is a subsidiary of Lockton, Inc., the largest independently owned commercial insurance broker in the world, and 9th largest firm of its type in the U.S.
https://www.locktonaffinity.com/nrains/excess.htm

[flamin lib]

16. No, they're upset that they HAVE to buy insurance.

The NRA insurance is worthless.

while hunting or trapping on public or private land. This coverage also covers you while shooting in competitions or at private shooting ranges.

Does not cover the toddler who shoots himself or sibling, having it stolen and showing up at a crime scene, accidental discharge while it's being "cleaned" of just general assholiness.