Colorado: House Bill Requires Firearm Liability Insurance for Accidental Firearm Discharges on Non-Policyholders

A Colorado bill requiring firearm owners to maintain a liability insurance policy that covers losses or damages to a person, other than the policyholder, who is injured on the insured property as a result of any accidental or unintentional discharge of the firearm was introduced into the Colorado General Assembly on Feb. 13

HB24-1270, mandating firearm liability insurance, is sponsored in the House by Reps. Steven Woodrow and Iman Jodeh and in the Senate by Sen. Chris Hansen. It was assigned to the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee.

Failure to maintain a firearm liability insurance policy is a civil infraction. A first offense is punishable by a minimum $500 fine, half of which may be suspended if the person has obtained firearm liability insurance. A second offense within five years of a prior offense is punishable by a minimum $1,000 fine.

The bill, which NAMIC opposes, permits a person who was denied firearm liability insurance by two or more insurers or a person who is indigent and cannot afford the insurance to petition a court for an order declaring that the person is excused from the firearm liability insurance requirement.