Following two statewide mass shootings that left several dead and injured, some California Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require gun owners to purchase liability insurance for the accidental or negligent use of their firearms. Previous coverage in the video player above The measure, Senate Bill 8, is one of several expected gun control measures that the state Legislature will consider this legislative session. California already has more than 100 gun laws on the books. “Under current laws, the victims of gun violence and society in general bear the cost of gun violence. This needs to change,” said state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, who authored the bill. “Firearms are similar to automobiles in that they are inherently dangerous and in wide circulation. If a car accidentally causes injury to a person or property, the insurance policy will indemnify the victim. The same approach should be applied to injuries caused by firearms.” “Requiring gun owners to carry liability insurance puts the burden where it should be: on the gun owner,” said state Sen. Nancy Skinner. Related proposals state lawmakers will consider include further limiting concealed-carry laws, limiting who can buy bulletproof vests, and a new tax on firearms and ammunition purchases to help fund protective measures against gun violence.
Following two statewide mass shootings that left several dead and injured, some California Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require gun owners to purchase liability insurance for the accidental or negligent use of their firearms.
Previous coverage in the video player above
The measure, Senate Bill 8, is one of several expected gun control measures that the state Legislature will consider this legislative session. California already has more than 100 gun laws on the books.
“Under current laws, the victims of gun violence and society in general bear the cost of gun violence. This needs to change,” said state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, who authored the bill. “Firearms are similar to automobiles in that they are inherently dangerous and in wide circulation. If a car accidentally causes injury to a person or property, the insurance policy will indemnify the victim. The same approach should be applied to injuries caused by firearms.”
“Requiring gun owners to carry liability insurance puts the burden where it should be: on the gun owner,” said state Senator Nancy Skinner.
Other related proposals that state legislators will consider include further limiting concealed-carry laws, limiting who can buy bulletproof vests, and a new tax on the purchase of firearms and ammunition to help fund protective measures against gun violence. .
