There have been quite a few gun control proposals popping up in Congress recently. Among those is a bill sponsored by Representative Carolyn Maloney, a Democrat, that would require anyone wishing to own a firearm to first purchase liability insurance. According to Maloney the Firearm Risk Protection Act would help to save lives and compensate the victims of gun related crimes and accidents.
“An insurance requirement would allow the free market to encourage cautious behavior and help save lives,” said Maloney, according to The Hill. “Adequate liability coverage would also ensure that the victims of gun violence are fairly compensated when crimes or accidents occur.” Maloney also makes the argument that the United States currently requires everyone who owns a car to purchase insurance but that no such requirement exists for firearms.
Not everyone is on board with this bill, however. In fact, according to Insurance Business America, some insurance law experts don’t even believe the mandate would serve its intended purpose. George Mocsary of the Southern Illinois University School of Law says the mandate wouldn’t deter gun violence or help to compensate victims.
“The idea is that it would serve as a private regulator of guns and compensate victims of gun violence,” said Mocsary. “There’s good reason to believe, however, that insurance would fall short of both of these goals.”
Among other current gun control proposals in Congress is the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act, which would require private sellers to conduct background checks at gun shows, and the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, which would require online ammunition dealers to confirm customers’ identities by verifying a photo ID in person.
