Will Gun Liability Insurance Curb Gun Violence?

Proposed legislation begs the question

Many state and federal lawmakers  want to identify new ways of curbing the rise in gun violence.  Legislators in Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois filed legislation that would require gun owners to purchase gun liability insurance.

“I believe that if we get the private sector and insurance companies involved in gun safety, we can help prevent a number of gun tragedies every year,” said Rep. David P. Linsky (D-Mass.).

The law vs. insurance

A in the insurance industry goes “lawyers don’t understand insurance and insurance agents don’t understand law.”  In other words, when getting advice on the law, consult a lawyer. And when needing insurance advice, consult an insurance professional.  My guess is that Congressman Linsky understands law, but obviously has little knowledge of insurance. If he understood insurance, he would know that no liability insurance will cover intentional acts. And since most acts of violence are intentional, gun liability insurance would not respond.

Deliberate vs. unintentional

However, many unintentional shootings take place, such as leaving firearms unlocked and loaded in the presence of children.  Liability insurance potentially covers such incidents. But homeowner, renter and personal umbrella liability policies will potentially respond in situations where the insured has accidentally or unintentionally injured a third party and is required to pay damages.