(KRON) – After the deadly shootings in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park, there is renewed interest in the state capital for passing gun reform laws. Among them, a bill that would require gun owners to get insurance for negligent or accidental use of their guns.
“That way each of us when we are affected by a shooting like this, we can get some costs back,” said Senator Nancy Skinner (D-CA).
Skinner co-wrote the bill, which is modeled on the one passed in the City of San Jose last year. He said that while it may not stop the killings like in Half Moon Bay, it will make it possible to get help for gun victims who are suffering physically, mentally or economically.
“In any other situation in our society, the way we deal with that is to help pay these kinds of costs through insurance. We don’t need insurance on guns and now is the time to do so,” Skinner said.
Supporters of gun reform say there are additional laws that state lawmakers should discuss. “If I had my ideal world, we wouldn’t have high quality magazines. There is a long wait before someone is allowed to buy a gun at a gun store. I’m going to make a point of severely punishing illegal firearms so people know,” said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
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Wagstaffe said none of these measures would violate second amendment rights or laws related to ghost guns. “I understand that they will not end cases like Half Moon Bay, Monterey Park, Uvalde or Sandy Hook but we can create barriers that may reduce or allow law enforcement to move forward.” that’s the goal,” Wagstaffe said.