From Channel 3 News in Pensacola:
Lawmakers in six states have introduced bills to require that gun owners purchase liability insurance.
The bill in New York, for instance, would require a gun owner to carry $1 million worth of liability insurance. It would cover any damages stemming from "negligent or willful" acts with a gun. But the idea does not seem to have a lot of support around the local area.
Mike Bates is a radio host at 1330AM WEBY. He's also an outspoken advocate of the second amendment.
"The requirement to have a liability insurance is a backdoor attempt at gun control. They are doing nothing than infringing in the right to bear arms. If they can't outright prohibit it, then they want to tax it," Bates said.
David Reed owns David Reed Insurance. He says offering a liability policy for gun owners could be problematic.
"Liability insurance is basically to cover people who did unintentional acts," Reed said. "If somebody gets a gun and shoots someone thats more of an intentional act, not sure how insurance could cover something like that. And another thing that I've looked at, if gun owners are required to buy liability insurance, then they maybe become a target for criminals break-in into their homes, hoping to get shot or injured and collect off a million dollar liability policy."
Supporters say it will cut gun violence through financial incentives. For example, owners who take gun safety courses could see lower rates. Bates says it's just another way lawmakers are picking on gun owners.
"Of course it's not needed," he said. "It's already illegal to use a gun illegally."
The bills have been introduced in a handful of states, but Florida is not one of them.
Liability insurance for $1 million in coverage for gun owners is estimated to cost between $1,600 and $2,000 annually.
Lawmakers in six states have introduced bills to require that gun owners purchase liability insurance.
The bill in New York, for instance, would require a gun owner to carry $1 million worth of liability insurance. It would cover any damages stemming from "negligent or willful" acts with a gun. But the idea does not seem to have a lot of support around the local area.
Mike Bates is a radio host at 1330AM WEBY. He's also an outspoken advocate of the second amendment.
"The requirement to have a liability insurance is a backdoor attempt at gun control. They are doing nothing than infringing in the right to bear arms. If they can't outright prohibit it, then they want to tax it," Bates said.
David Reed owns David Reed Insurance. He says offering a liability policy for gun owners could be problematic.
"Liability insurance is basically to cover people who did unintentional acts," Reed said. "If somebody gets a gun and shoots someone thats more of an intentional act, not sure how insurance could cover something like that. And another thing that I've looked at, if gun owners are required to buy liability insurance, then they maybe become a target for criminals break-in into their homes, hoping to get shot or injured and collect off a million dollar liability policy."
Supporters say it will cut gun violence through financial incentives. For example, owners who take gun safety courses could see lower rates. Bates says it's just another way lawmakers are picking on gun owners.
"Of course it's not needed," he said. "It's already illegal to use a gun illegally."
The bills have been introduced in a handful of states, but Florida is not one of them.
Liability insurance for $1 million in coverage for gun owners is estimated to cost between $1,600 and $2,000 annually.
