House Bill Would Force Gun Owners to Buy Insurance or Pay $10,000

A new bill could force gun owners to carry liability insurance. Gun owners who do not buy the insurance would be fined $10,000.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney has introduced the Firearm Risk Protection Act, which would require citizens to get liability insurance before being allowed to purchase a gun. Firearm owners caught without such insurance would face a $10,000 fine. Law enforcement officers and service members would be exempt from the rule.

Maloney argues that insurance agencies can encourage gun owners to act more cautiously with their firearms by providing incentives like auto insurance carriers do with their customers.

“An insurance requirement would allow the free market to encourage cautious behavior and help save lives,” Maloney said. “Adequate liability coverage would also ensure that the victims of gun violence are fairly compensated when crimes or accidents occur."

Maloney is recognized as one of the most aggressive gun-control advocates in Congress. A few weeks ago, she reintroduced the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act, which would require anyone buying or selling firearms at gun shows to undergo background checks. The bill, which is backed by former Rep. Carolyn McCarthy would also require all transfers to be reported to the attorney general.