Require gun owners to pay insurance

 

In an effort to reduce gun harm, I propose that Minnesota requires firearm owners to carry liability insurance. By

requiring this insurance, it pushes the idea and desire for firearm owners to be responsible with their guns. Doing this

would help lower gun death rates at the same time. It promotes gun safety and responsible ownership.

 

Gun owners should pay for insurance just like how car owners do. I suggest that firearm owners pay $11 a month for

insurance. Owning a firearm comes with legal risks and even responsible gun owners can face unexpected legal issues. Gun

insurance in Minnesota would provide financial protection and make sure that you would have access to legal

representation if you are accused of a firearm related crime. Car owners pay insurance covers various expenses,

including repairs, medical bills, and legal fees, depending on the type of damage they had done. But if someone with a

gun causes that same damage, it's not on them to pay for the person they harmed medical bills, repairs, etc. In

Minnesota, there has been an ongoing problem with gun violence. There are states that already have this law in action:

In 2022, San Jose, California, and New Jersey passed laws requiring gun owners to carry liability insurance. The Second

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free

State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." It protects the right for Americans to

possess weapons for the protection of themselves, their rights, and their property. But because the amendment states "A

well regulated Militia", the government has the right to regulate gun use. They are allowed to put conditions or

restrictions on guns/arms as long as they do not take away the right of using that gun. I think that if someone has a

criminal record or a mental health/psychological disability they shouldn't be exposed to firearms at all. People that

check these boxes are more unstable and shouldn't be allowed to own or yield a gun for their own sake and for the sake

of others. Damage caused by guns has been really concerning in Minnesota has been extremely concerning. On August 27th,

2025, a mass shooting occurred occurred at the Church of the Annunciation in the Windom neighborhood of Minneapolis. A

person opened fire through the windows of the church, killing two children sitting in the church pews and injuring 27

others, 24 of whom were children. The shooter then died by suicide. This is just one of the many ways guns impact our

society negatively. It affects everybody with irreversible damage. Being able to put this bill into motion would help

reduce the amount of reckless activity with firearms.

 

Firearm: a weapon that uses gunpowder to shoot the weapon.

Insurance: a contract where one party (the insurer) agrees to financially protect another party (the insured) against

specific risks in exchange for a premium payment. Yes, every gun owner would pay insurance but some could pay less if

they are able to prove that they are going to use their gun safely: Law abiding responsible gun ownership will be

rewarded but any criminal activity associated with the gun would prompted higher fees. It forces responsible gun

ownership.

Militia: a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.

Infringed: actively break the terms of (a law, agreement, etc.).

Regulate: control or maintain the rate or speed of (a machine or process) so that it operates properly.

 

No funding required but the insurance money paid from gun owners covers any damage or harm that the firearm caused. The

more guns a person owns, the more insurance they have to pay. Someone who owns one gun would pay less insurance. For

example, an individual who owns a handgun for personal safety would pay less than a large enthusiast who owns a large

amount of firearms.

 

If the gun causes harm or is used problematically, then the firearm owner's liability insurance premium would increase

by 25% for the first offense, 50% for the second violation and 100% for any following violations. If they dont pay the

premium at all, they use their ability to carry a gun.

 

Upon passage of the bill.