Today, the National Rifle Association submitted written testimony in opposition to Bill 20-170, the “Firearm Insurance Amendment Act.” Sponsored by city Councilor Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), B20-170 would require D.C. residents to purchase liability insurance -- of no less than $250,000 -- before being allowed to purchase a firearm. The liability insurance policy would specifically need to cover any damages resulting from negligent acts, or willful acts that are not undertaken in self-defense, involving the use of the insured firearm while it is owned by the policy holder. Under B20-170, individuals who currently possess firearms in D.C. would have to purchase liability insurance within thirty days of its effective date.

The misguided city Councilmen who are championing this bill are doing so in spite of the fact that D.C. already has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation, yet consistently has one of the highest violent crime rates. Not only will criminals certainly avoid purchasing liability insurance, there are other problems with mandating liability insurance for firearms owners including:

It is an affront to law-abiding gun owners—you are not required to carry insurance to exercise any other constitutional right.

It is economically discriminatory—insurance is expensive and such a mandate could make firearm ownership even more unattainable for average law-abiding D.C. residents who have an inherent right to self-defense regardless of income.

No insurance company will write a policy to cover the intentional or criminal misuse of a firearm. Since the insurance policy B20-170 seeks to mandate does not exist, this could lead to an all-out gun ban in the District of Columbia.

It is critical that you continue contacting members of the city Council Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs and respectfully urge them to oppose B20-170.

Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Committee:

Councilor Vincent Orange (D) (At-Large), Chairman

(202) 724-8174

vorange@dccouncil.us

Councilor David Grosso (I) (At-Large)

(202) 724-8105

dgrosso@dccouncil.us

Councilor Jim Graham (D-Ward 1)

(202) 724-8181

jgraham@dccouncil.us

Councilor Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3)

(202) 724-8062

mcheh@dccouncil.us

Councilor Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7)

(202) 724-8068

yalexander@dccouncil.us