Maryland House Democrats introduced a bill last week that would prohibit gun owners from carrying guns without $300,000 in liability insurance.
What are the details?
WBFF TV reported Introduced by Terry Hildell law“A person will be compensated for property damage, personal injury, death resulting from an accident resulting from the use or storage of a firearm, or interest and costs, plus up to $300,000 in damages arising from the same incident.”
Although the bill's language exempts military and federal law enforcement officers from insurance requirements, WBFF noted that the bill does not exempt state and local law enforcement officers.
Vernon Brownlee, a Largo-based criminal defense attorney, told the station he believes the bill has the potential to hold law enforcement officers accountable.[This] This bill aims to strengthen police accountability and specifically address the disproportionate impact of the misuse of deadly force on Black communities. Essentially, the law puts in place a mechanism where insurance companies can deem executives liable and can no longer insure them if they repeatedly violate the law. ”
WBFF asked Hill why state and local law enforcement officers are not exempt from the insurance requirement, and the agency said Hill told him he intended to make a correction.
“The bill contains exceptions,” Rep. Cheryl Pasteur, a co-sponsor of the bill, told WBFF in a follow-up email after Hill's phone interview.
“[Del. Hill] But she said she would go back and make sure the situation was clear before going to the hearing,” Pasteur added.
Clyde Boatwright, president of the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police, told WBFF that state and local law enforcement officers should have the same immunity as federal employees. “I would appreciate it if we were given the same rights as employees. If federal partners are exempted,” he said. , state and local officials should be afforded the same rights. ”
Hill told WBFF that the idea for the bill came from constituents who believe gun owners “should bear some responsibility for damage caused by guns being used in a manner that causes harm.” Ta.
Gun advocate Frank Duffy told the station that the bill is another effort to “chip away” state attrition and enforcement laws. The court ruled that no sufficient or substantial reason could be required. Please get permission. ”
Details from WBFF:
Duffy, co-owner and vice president of Maryland-based Spartan Firearms Training Group, said the bill is similar to the state's handgun qualification license (HQL) requirements.
In November, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Repealed Maryland's HQL regulationssided with gun advocacy groups who argued that the law imposes an “undue burden” on people's constitutional rights to acquire, own, and possess firearms.
Since that decision, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown's office has successfully petitioned the Court of Appeals to fully reconsider the case.
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