Illinois lawmakers are considering new legislation that could require gun owners to carry liability insurance, a proposal that has sparked debate about public safety, financial responsibility, and Second Amendment rights. State Representative Bob Morgan is leading the effort, arguing that such a policy could help Illinois address the financial and social costs associated with gun-related incidents.
Morgan, who has been working on this idea for years, believes that requiring gun owners to have insurance could provide a financial mechanism to cover damages resulting from firearm-related events.
“We’re not just looking at how people access firearms,” Morgan said. “But what are the ways in which we’re paying for the societal costs when there is gun violence in our communities?”
To explore the feasibility of this policy, Morgan is advocating for the creation of a gun insurance task force. The group would include representatives from the insurance industry, gun safety advocates, and gun rights supporters to evaluate whether Illinois should move forward with the legislation.
“This will be the first state to really adopt an idea of creating a specific rider, effectively, like we have for flooding in our homes,” Morgan said. “This will be an additional rider for someone who has a firearm in their home.”
Morgan has already begun discussions with insurance companies to assess potential coverage options. Some key areas of interest include coverage for stolen firearms, property damage, and potential liability if a firearm is misused.
The push for gun insurance comes as recent surveys indicate strong public support for holding firearm owners financially responsible. As already reported in Insurance Business, a survey conducted by ValuePenguin found that 75% of Americans believe gun owners should be required to carry liability insurance.
Support for such a policy is particularly strong among parents with children under 18, Gen Z, and individuals earning over $100,000 annually. Furthermore, 82% of Americans think that gun owners should be accountable for how their firearms are used.
Divya Sangameshwar, of ValuePenguin, believes that the insurance industry could play a key role in promoting gun safety.
“Insurers have always led the way when it comes to safety,” Sangameshwar said. “In the case of gun ownership, insurance premiums and discounts can be used to promote gun safety and pave the way for commonsense safety laws in the future.”
While the idea of gun insurance is gaining traction, there are still unresolved questions about how such policies would be structured. Some key considerations include whether gun owners would need separate policies for each firearm or if a single policy could cover multiple weapons.
According to the ValuePenguin survey, 44% of respondents support requiring separate insurance policies for each firearm, while 31% believe a single policy should cover all guns owned by an individual.
Critics of the proposal argue that requiring insurance for firearm ownership could infringe on Second Amendment rights. Illinois State Representative Adam Niemerg voiced opposition, calling the legislation a financial penalty on lawful gun owners.
“I don’t see a gap in coverage for a need for firearm insurance,” Niemerg said. “Ultimately, I see this as kind of a penalty for those trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
Richard Pearson, of the Illinois Rifle Association, warned that the cost of mandatory firearm insurance could disproportionately impact low-income gun owners.
“It depends on how the law is written,” Pearson said. “If you have to have an insurance policy for every firearm, then that would be crazy.”
If the proposed task force receives approval, it will consist of 12 members tasked with evaluating the feasibility of gun insurance in Illinois. Morgan hopes to move the legislation forward and ultimately get it to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk for consideration.
As Illinois lawmakers debate the issue, the discussion highlights a broader national conversation about gun safety, financial accountability, and constitutional rights. While gun insurance may not be a complete solution to gun violence, proponents argue it could be a step toward responsible firearm ownership and public safety.
