Brooklyn’s Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz, D-Kings, has reintroduced a bill in the New York State Assembly that would require all gun owners to purchase and sustain a minimum of $250,000 in liability coverage. The bill, known as A2260, would require that the policy be enforced as long as the owner possesses the gun. The proposal has been referred to the Assembly’s insurance committee.
This isn’t the first bill like this that Ortiz has backed, but most have never made it out of the gate. Ortiz has said that he believes a proposal, such as his, would give incentive to gun owners to be as safe as possible. The liability insurance policy of a minimum of a quarter million dollars would cover damages from negligent acts involving the owner’s firearms.
If passed, anyone who failed to maintain a policy would have their firearm license revoked and that is required under state law for gun ownership. The only exclusion would be for law enforcement officers. Current licensees would have 30 days to obtain a policy. Those who want to apply for a firearms permit would have to show proof of coverage prior to applying.
Gun control groups such as the Brady Campaign fully support Ortiz’s proposal, but opponents like the New York Rifle and Pistol Association believe these efforts are preposterous. Other states, such as New Hampshire and Hawaii have considered similar measures, but they have failed.
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