Eight Washington state House Democrats, led by Rep. Kristine Reeves (District 30), have signed onto legislation that would require each gun owner to have individual firearm insurance policies for each gun they own.
House Bill 1504, introduced Wednesday, would also require the operator of a gun range to carry a general liability insurance policy providing at least $1 million of coverage per incident.
Attorney William Kirk, president of Washington Gun Law, says in a video report that HB 1504 is “a bill that’s going to drive many of you out of this state.”
Under the 18-page bill’s language:
“(1)(a) No person in this state may purchase or possess a firearm unless that person is:
“(i) Insured under a firearm liability policy or covered by a firearm liability bond meeting the requirements of subsection (2) of this section;
“(ii) Self-insured as provided in subsection (3) of this section; or
“(iii) Covered by a certificate of deposit meeting the requirements of subsection (4) of this section.
“(b) Compliance with this requirement constitutes financial 20 responsibility for the purpose of this section. Proof of financial responsibility to purchase or possess a firearm must be provided on the request of a dealer or law enforcement officer in the format specified under subsection (5) of this section.”
“There is a tipping point,” says Kirk in his video, “where this will become absolutely cost prohibitive, and it’s quite possible that none of this insurance that will be mandated by law will actually be available.”
The legislation appears clearly designed to drive gun owners out of the state, or cause them to get rid of their firearms.
The language of HB 1504 also describes a firearm liability policy and bond requirements.
“(a) A firearm liability policy or bond under this section must:
(i) Be issued by an insurance company or surety company authorized to do business in this state;
(ii) provide at least $25,000 of coverage per incident arising from accidental or unintentional discharge of the covered firearm causing injury, death, or property damage; and
(iii) identify the specific firearm covered by the policy or bond.
(b) Firearm liability policies and bonds must be obtained on a per-firearm basis, with a separate policy or bond required for each distinct firearm.”
Joining Reeves in this legislation are Representatives Beth Doglio, Lauren Davis, Julia Reed, Timm Ormsby, Alex Ramel, Gerry Pollet, and My-Linh Thai. Their names are typically associated with Evergreen State gun control legislation.
The measure further requires certificates of deposit with the state Department of Licensing for those who choose to self-insure. The certificate would require:
“(a) Proof of financial responsibility may be evidenced by a certificate issued by the department of licensing establishing that the person named therein has deposited with the department $25,000 in cash, or securities such as may legally be purchased by savings banks or for trust funds of a market value of $25,000.
“(b) Certificates of deposit must be obtained on a per-firearm basis, with a separate certificate required for each distinct firearm.”
The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary.
