Maryland legislators, led by Delegate Terri Hill, have introduced a bill that could significantly alter the landscape for gun owners in the state. House Bill 430 mandates a liability insurance requirement of at least $300,000 for individuals who wish to carry a concealed firearm. This groundbreaking proposal has stirred a considerable debate, juxtaposing gun control measures against the rights of gun owners.
Under the proposed legislation, carrying a firearm without meeting this insurance requirement would be prohibited. The insurance is intended to cover claims for property damage, bodily injury, or death resulting from firearm-related accidents. Exemptions to this law include members of the military and federal law enforcement officers, and the law does not apply to unloaded firearms.
Critics of the bill argue that it imposes unnecessary hurdles for law-abiding citizens seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Frank Duffy, a gun advocate, expressed concerns that the bill could be a workaround to impose restrictions on gun owners following the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which ruled against the necessity of a ‘good or substantial reason’ for issuing a carry permit.