Costly Gun Insurance Law Hits Maryland Owners Hard

2024-06-21

A controversial gun control plan, recently proposed by Democrats in the Maryland House, is currently making waves throughout Maryland. If this legislation passes, gun owners will have to buy liability insurance to carry their firearms in public. Gun advocates are calling the bill a concentrated attack on Maryland citizens’ Second Amendment rights, while gun control supporters are welcoming the bill.

Introduction of Proposed Legislation

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff

Delegate Terri Hill (D-Howard County) introduced the legislation, which states that gun owners will need a liability insurance policy of $300,000 minimum. 

The proposed legislation states, “A person may not wear or carry a firearm unless the person has obtained and is covered by liability insurance.” 

Insurance Coverage Requirements

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Vitalii Vodolazskyi

This insurance must pay out claims for death, physical harm, or property damage caused by using or storing a gun, and it must also cover interest and charges up to $300,000 for damages.

Delegate Hill’s Defense

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Wasan Tita

Delegate Hill defended the bill, stating it is “another effort at common sense gun legislation.” 

Origin of the Legislation

Image Credit: Shutterstock / rafapress

She told Fox News that the measure came from a constituent’s idea that gun owners ought to be held partially accountable for injuries caused by their weapons.

Exceptions to the Insurance Requirement

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Loch Earn

The bill does provide exceptions – members of the military and federal law enforcement officers are exempt, as well as cases where the gun wasn’t loaded. 

Exclusion of Law Enforcement

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Bumble Dee

Controversially, local and state law enforcement officials are not excluded from the legislation’s insurance requirements.

Criticism From Delegate Nawrocki

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ground Picture

A critic of the bill delegate, Ryan Nawrocki (R-Baltimore County), expressed doubts about the bill, asserting that it places an “unconstitutional burden on citizens to own a firearm.”

Potential Impact on Law Enforcement

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Victor Moussa

While the bill faces criticism from certain sectors for its potential infringement on the rights of gun owners, criminal defense experts see an opportunity for increased accountability, especially among law enforcement officers. 

Enhancing Accountability

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Bhutinat65

One defense attorney explained to Fox Baltimore that the legislation “aims to enhance accountability among police officers, particularly addressing the disproportionate impact of their misuse of deadly force on the black community.”

He explained that the bill holds the power to render officers uninsurable for repeated violations related to the misuse of deadly force.

Uncertainty Regarding Insurance Claims

Image Credit: Shutterstock / create jobs 51

However, it is still unclear how this processing of private insurance claims for firearm incidents will work. 

Insurance Policy Considerations

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Serlena Bessonova

The Maryland Insurance Commission has stressed that coverage is contingent upon the specific text of each policy, taking into account the type of liability coverage, exclusions, and incident circumstances.

Insurance Policy Coverage

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Vitalii Vodolazskyi

In Maryland, the majority of insurance policies exclude coverage for actions that the insurers consider to be deliberate or illegal. 

Duty to Retreat

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Salivanchuk Semen

It is also illegal in Maryland to use lethal force when you have the option to flee an attack or dangerous situation. This legal principle is known as the “duty to retreat.”

Background on Previous Gun Legislation

Image Credit: Shutterstock / nelen

This move by Maryland legislators follows a November court ruling that struck down an almost ten-year-long law that required handgun qualification licensing (HQL) for any firearms purchases.

New gun owners were required to finish a firearms safety training course, submit fingerprints for a background check, and fill out an application form for the HQL.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the existing HQL regulation, claiming it placed an “undue burden” on citizens’ constitutional rights. 

Response to Court Ruling

Image Credit: Shutterstock / BOKEH STOCK

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s office has recently requested a rehearing of the case.

Acknowledging the Oversight

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff

In response to inquiries about the absence of exemptions for local and state law enforcement in the current bill, Terri Hill acknowledged the oversight and promised to make corrections.

Delegate Cheryl Pasteur, the bill’s co-sponsor, clarified that “the exception is in the bill” and any other ambiguities will be corrected before the hearing.

Advocacy From Anti-gun Organizations

Image Credit: Shutterstock / fizkes

Action on gun violence is currently an incredibly pressing issue for Maryland residents. Last week, two anti-gun organizations – Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action – flocked to Annapolis in significant numbers. 

A Call for Gun Violence Prevention Measures

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Longfin Media

These advocates called for measures to stop gun violence, particularly near schools, and want to push for the expansion of laws aimed at enhancing gun safety and preventing gun violence.

Support From Governor Wes Moore

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Vladimir Borovic

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is a big supporter of the organizations. Speaking at the rally, Moore stated, “We are going to pass legislation to make sure you are protected, to make sure you are supported, and to make sure your family members are remembered.”

Current State of the Debate

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ground Picture

As Maryland grapples with the implications of this proposed legislation, the battle between gun rights and public safety continues to shape the conversation around responsible firearm ownership.

23 Steep Taxes Adding to California Residents’ Burden

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alex Millauer

California: a place of sunshine, innovation, and, unfortunately, some of the nation’s highest taxes. From LA’s beaches to Silicon Valley’s tech hubs, residents grapple with a maze of state taxes. Here’s a glance at 23 taxes that might surprise both Californians and outsiders. 23 Steep Taxes Adding to California Residents’ Burden

Cash in on Nostalgia: 21 Toys Now Worth a Fortune

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Kostikova Natalia

Time to dust off the boxes and find that once-cherished toy from your childhood. For collectors and enthusiasts, they items have become valued objects and they can be worth big bucks – are there any of these in your attic? Cash in on Nostalgia: 21 Toys Now Worth a Fortune

Millennials Don’t Buy These 19 Products Anymore

Image Credit: Shutterstock / mariakray

Millennials are changing consumer habits, quietly replacing once-staple products and traditions. Often criticized for their disruptive preferences, this generation is reshaping the marketplace with digital expertise, ethical buying, and a taste for the unconventional. Millennials Don’t Buy These 19 Products Anymore

10 Reasons Firearms Are Essential to America’s Fabric

Image Credit: Shutterstock / rblfmr

Americans’ strong attachment to guns is influenced by constitutional rights, historical context, and cultural traditions. This article explores the cultural perspective driving their unwavering support for gun ownership, revealing the key factors shaping this enduring aspect of American life. 10 Reasons Firearms Are Essential to America’s Fabric

California’s 16 New Laws Raise Red Flags for Prospective Residents

Image Credit: Shutterstock / PeopleImages.com – Yuri A

California, celebrated for its beaches, tech prowess, and diversity, is now gaining attention for its recent legislation, prompting some residents to reconsider their residency. Explore the new laws of 2024 and the controversies and migration they’re stirring. California’s 16 New Laws Raise Red Flags for Prospective Residents

The post Costly Gun Insurance Law Hits Maryland Owners Hard first appeared on Thrift My Life.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Nomad_Soul.

The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.