(NewsNation) — Maryland residents who want to wear or carry loaded guns in public would need to also be armed with an insurance policy to cover at least $300,000 in damages, if a bill introduced by House Democrats in January picks up enough support from fellow lawmakers,
Under the proposed legislation, weapons owners not carrying a policy from a state-approved carrier would be restricted from having guns in their possession in public. The policy would need to include coverage for property damage, bodily injury or death resulting in the storage of a firearm.
The bill, which some Republicans and gun advocates deem unconstitutional, was introduced last month by Democratic Del. Terri Hill.
Members of the military and federal law enforcement agents would not be required to carry the insurance, according to the bill. Insurance would also not be required if a gun is unloaded. At least for the time being, the bill does not afford the same rights to local and state law enforcement officers.
Hill, the bill’s sponsor, has told local media outlets that the bill will likely be updated to make all police officers exempt from needing the coverage.
Hill told a local Baltimore TV station she introduced the bill after a constituent came to her with the notion that gun owners should bear some liability in cases where damage is being done because guns were being used to cause harm.
Hill has introduced the bill as a “common sense” gun law. However, opponents of the proposed legislation deem the bill unconstitutional.
Republican Del. Ryan Nawrocki says that the bill places an “unconstitutional burden” on citizens to own a firearm, according to Fox 45 News.
State insurance officials said most policies will not cover activity that insurers may deem to be intentional or criminal acts. Opponents of the bill told the television station that the bill represents another effort by the government to put roadblocks in front of gun owners.
“The Supreme Court made a decision that said Maryland and other states could not require a good or substantial reason to get a permit,” gun advocate Frank Duffy told Fox 45 News.
