Gun violence is in the news nearly every day. There have been reports of multiple deaths due to accidental and intentional discharge of firearms by children as young as five years old. Approximately 110 children are killed accidentally by guns every year. If you add in those killed as a result of criminal conduct, deaths per year are in the 3000 range, injuries are in excess of 7000. So, when an eight year old child gets his hands on his father's handgun, or shotgun and shoots someone, there should be claims filed against the gun owner's homeowner's liability policy, further to that end, anyone who owns a gun should have mandatory liability insurance. Just as they must for any motor vehicle they own.
Recently in California, three drifters stole a gun that was left in an unlocked motor vehicle, they robbed and murdered two people with that gun. The gun owner should not only be held criminally responsible for failing to secure his firearm, but there should be a hefty payout to the families of the victims. Once you mandate liability insurance for gun owners, the cost of gun ownership would likely make people think long and hard, and decide if the expense is worth it. Ultimately the goal is to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, criminals obtain guns by stealing them, using shills to purchase them, and other nefarious means. If a gun that was improperly sold or secured is used in a crime, not only should the original owner face stiff criminal liability, insurance companies also need to have their feet put to the fire, and start to feel the pain financially of all the lives lost as a result of guns.
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