D.C. bill would require gun owners to buy liability insurance

Ms. Cheh said she hopes to work out the details of the legislation during a hearing, such as whether a minimum $250,000 coverage amount should be adjusted, and to hear from stakeholders on the proposal.

Among others concerned with the bill’s potential impact is the District’s police union chairman, who wonders how the law would affect law enforcement, particularly retired police officers. While the proposed law leaves an exemption for any “peace officer,” who Ms. Cheh said would presumably be covered through their employer, it was not explicitly stated whether or not military or retired law enforcement would also be required to get insurance.

“This is the type of legislation that on its face could be so sweeping that it could have consequences that are unintended,” Fraternal Order of Police Chairman Kristopher Baumann said.

Ms. Cheh said she did not anticipate any interference from Congress, which has oversight over laws passed in the District, if the measure were to pass the council. Because the District’s initial gun ownership legislation was passed without issue from Congress and because other states are also contemplating bills calling for mandatory gun insurance, Ms. Cheh said she thinks it would be “less palatable” for Congress to interfere on such a bill.

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