Blue States Seek to Disable Insurance for Gun Owners
Article based on report from Montana Shooting Sports Association.
Some states with anti-gun leadership are aggressively trying to eliminate insurance programs that help protect gun owners who may be forced to use a gun in self-defense. These liberal-controlled states claim they can block such self-defense insurance coverage because insurance is not allowed for an “illegal activity”. Interesting theory — since when did self-defense become illegal? The right of armed self-protection is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Most states have a position titled “Insurance Commissioner”, a public official (usually elected) who regulates insurance matters. We are seeing harsh anti-gun policies being pushed through by State Insurance Commissioners, often as the behest of Democratic-party Governors or Legislative leaders.
For example, in Washington State, the Office of Insurance Commissioner (OIC) sent cease and desist letters to the NRA (regarding previously offered Carry Guard*), the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), the Armed Citizen Legal Defense Network, U.S. Law Shield, Firearms Legal Protection, and CCW Safe, demanding that all quit doing business in Washington State. California’s Insurance Commissioner blocked NRA Carry Guard Insurance, and the same thing is likely to happen in other states in the months ahead…
Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, says that citizens need to be concerned with state candidates for Insurance Commissioner (or equivalent state official): “In Montana, the function of an insurance commissioner is performed by the State Auditor, an elected position most people don’t think about much. Because of the attack on self-defense insurance in other states, the race for State Auditor is worth paying attention to in Montana. As voters, you and your friends should know which candidates pledge that self-defense insurance will NOT be targeted for eradication in Montana.”
That advice should be headed by citizens in other states as well. With so many attacks on Second Amendment rights from liberal politicians (and the mainstream news media), we don’t want state insurance rules to be used to disarm law-abiding citizens, or subject them to increased risk of lawsuits.
*The NRA’s Carry Guard Insurance program is no longer offered. Cancellation of this program is due largely to aggressive actions by State Insurance Commissioners in blue states such as California, New York, and Washington.
