New York State Assemblyman Félix W. Ortiz (D-Brooklyn) has introduced legislation that, if enacted, would require New York gun owners to obtain a minimum of $250,000 in liability insurance.
The bill, A02260, would add a new section to the state's insurance law requiring any person in New York who owns a firearm to obtain, before acquiring the firearm, and to maintain a liability insurance policy of not less than $250,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from any negligent acts involving the use of the firearm while it is owned by the person.
A gun owner who fails to maintain the required insurance would face the immediate revocation of his or her gun registration and license, according to the current version of the bill.
The bill also provides that any person who owns a firearm on the effective date of the law must obtain the required insurance within 30 days of the law's effective date.
The bill excepts from its provisions peace officers authorized to carry a firearm.
It has been referred to the Assembly's insurance committee.
Similar prior bills have not been adopted by the New York legislature.
Steven A. Meyerowitz
Steven A. Meyerowitz, a Harvard Law School graduate, is the founder and president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. He may be contacted at [email protected].