San Jose mayor wants gun owners to get liability insurance
If approved, Mayor
The city of 1 million was home to two children killed in a
"With this measure, we won't suddenly end gun violence," Liccardo said. "But we're going to stop paying for it."
Under Liccardo's proposal, which would require approval from the
Liccardo likened the proposal to attempts to lower smoking rates and car crashes. Motorists, he pointed out, are required to carry auto insurance, and tobacco consumption is taxed both to discourage smoking and cover the costs of smoke-related illnesses and death.
Gun rights groups are vowing to take
Under Liccardo's plan, liability insurance would cover the accidental discharge of a gun, along with intentional acts by people who steal or borrow a gun from a gun owner. He acknowledged that insurers won't cover intentional conduct by a gun owner.
But Lee pushed back at the idea that any intentional criminal acts, regardless of who commits them, would be insurable. And, he said, a liability insurance program wouldn't stop someone like the Gilroy shooter — who on
"It's yet another burden on gun owners," he said of the idea, suggesting the mayor was grasping for a way to feel better about the incident.
Liccardo acknowledged there "may need to be some evolution in the (insurance) industry," but he hopes other cities locally and elsewhere will consider the proposal in the future.
None of the proposals will become law immediately. The insurance program and fee would have to be approved by the
Information from:
1 injured in West Duluth building explosion
North American Business Headlines at 11:42 a.m. EDT
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News