A new proposal from Illinois legislators would create a firearm insurance task force whose aim would be to examine the role of insurance in firearm ownership.
HB0043, sponsored by Rep. Bob Morgan (D-58th District), would amend the Illinois Insurance Code to create a specialized task force.
The Task Force on Firearm Insurance would be made up of 13 individuals appointed by legislators and the governor. The breakdown would include:
- 4 members from the Illinois General Assembly, with representation from both political parties
- 2 agents from the commercial insurance industry
- 2 experts in the field of firearm-related deaths/injuries
- Directors of the Illinois State Police, Department of Insurance, and Department of Public Health (or designees)
- 2 representatives from firearm advocacy groups
The focus of the task force would be to review current gun insurance policies and evaluate whether the state should require all gun owners to carry firearm insurance in Illinois – similar to car insurance mandates. Under the bill, the task force would review current insurance policies both in-state and nationwide, as well as the potential of new policies, focusing on liability coverage and risk management.
After analyzing the data, the force would then make legislative recommendations – including whether Illinois residents would be required to carry gun insurance and the feasibility of enforcing that.
Morgan said the aim of the task force is to assess other ways to keep Illinois residents safe.
“Not just making sure we’re looking at the ways in which people have access to firearms,” Morgan told News Channel 20. “But what are the ways in which we’re paying for the societal costs when there is gun violence in our communities?”
But critics disagree with the idea that the proposal would make things safer for residents, instead, they argue, it’s punitive.
“I don’t see a gap in coverage for a need for firearm insurance,” Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-109th District) said. “Ultimately, I see this as kind of a penalty for those trying to exercise their second amendment rights.”
HB0043 has been referred to the Gun Violence Prevention Committee for further review.
Should gun owners be required to carry insurance? Let us know what you think in the comments below. For more on what’s happening in the gun world, check out our News page.
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No, we don't need anymore "taxes" from Chicago politicians wanting to keep legal gun owners from exercising their 2nd ammendment rights. Illegal guns and crooks who possess them are the problem, not responsible, legal gun owners.
I'd like to know how much money and which insurance companies are contributing to politicians to get this through so they will get "forced customers". I don't believe being an insured firearm owner is necessarily a bad thing, but if it's the law, they can charge you whatever they want to. Aside from that, I just am not a big fan of government dictating my choices.