Anti-Gun Outlet ‘The Trace’ Deals Mortal Blow to San Jose’s New Gun Insurance Law

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Anti-Gun Outlet 'The Trace' Deals Mortal Blow to San Jose's New Gun Insurance Law
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo won’t be smiling when he hears his staunchest allies have turned against him. (Photo: San Jose Mayor’s Office)

A broken clock is right twice a day, ten million monkeys could recreate the works of Shakespeare if given enough time, and every once in a while, The Trace publishes something worth the pixels it’s written on.

In a recent article, The Trace news writer Jennifer Mascia deals a mortal blow to San Jose’s new gun owner insurance law. Her reporting contradicts the pie-in-the-sky claims of the law’s proponents by proving that even if constitutional questions are put aside, the requirement won’t have its intended effect.

“As we pored over the particulars of San Jose’s ordinance and interviewed insurance experts, we found that the plan may end up not being as effective as proponents have advertised: It will only cover shootings that occur under a narrow and specific set of circumstances, providing little incentive for gun owners to adopt safer practices,” she writes.

To recap: Earlier this year, the San Jose City Council passed two ordinances that would require gun owners to pay an annual fee and to purchase liability insurance covering accidental use of a firearm. The new laws were passed despite the overwhelming opposition among San Jose residents and several impending lawsuits.

SEE ALSO: ‘A Modest Fee’ — San Jose Mayor Celebrates Passage of Gun Tax, Liability Insurance 

The law’s supporters insisted that forcing gun owners to purchase liability insurance would compel them to practice “safe” gun handling and storage.

“When you notify the insurance company, the insurance company can start to ask questions like, ‘Do you have a gun safe? Do you have a trigger lock? Have you taken gun safety classes?’ And those kinds of actions can help to reduce the premium,” insisted San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.

Unfortunately for Liccardo, none of that is true. Accidental injuries with firearms are so rare that insurance companies “just don’t care,” according to one of Mascia’s sources. Accidental firearm injuries and deaths are played up in the media and among gun control groups, but as we’ve covered at GunsAmerica, the statistics are often overblown.

According to Mascia, there have been only three unintentional shootings in San Jose since 2015, and they all resulted in criminal charges. In other words, none of them would have been covered under the policies San Jose gun owners are being forced to purchase.

SEE ALSO: San Jose City Leaders Disclose How They Will Punish Uninsured Gun Owners 

Insurance companies won’t compel gun owners to practice safe gun storage because they know that they won’t have to pay out any claims related to accidental gun injuries.

It will be interesting to see whether Mascia’s piece is eventually taken down. Everytown pays for nearly 70 percent of The Trace’s budget, and Everytown President John Feinblatt is the outlet’s principal officer. Everytown cheered when San Jose passed its ordinances, and gun owner’s insurance has long been a priority of the anti-gun movement.

If Everytown founder Mike Bloomberg gets wind that The Trace is getting out of line, he might reconsider his next $2 million “donation” to the outlet.

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  • OBloody Hell March 15, 2022, 3:51 pm

    }}} would require gun owners to pay an annual fee

    So, basically, a poll tax on your right to vote?

    Yeah, that sounds in line with the Constitution.

  • someolboy March 11, 2022, 9:54 pm

    San Jose City Leaders Disclose How They Will Punish Uninsured Gun Owners

    It will be interesting to see whether Mascia’s piece is eventually taken down. Everytown pays for nearly 70 percent of The Trace’s budget, and Everytown President John Feinblatt is the outlet’s principal officer. Everytown cheered when San Jose passed its ordinances, and gun owner’s insurance has long been a priority of the anti-gun movement.

    If Everytown founder Mike Bloomberg gets wind that The Trace is getting out of line, he might reconsider his next $2 million “donation” to the outlet.

    Fight fire with fire… burn them out…

  • Roger March 11, 2022, 3:08 pm

    THIS WOULD WORK!!! Look at how the number of auto accidents have dropped to almost nothing in California since they required car insurance. There are no fires of any kind and all fire departments have been shut down. Hospitals are closing their doors since health insurance was invented. Just look at San Francisco and the 100% employment since they made the crack users and thieves get jobs. Ah yes, the land of fruits nuts and Fairys!!

  • Tyler Kent March 11, 2022, 1:29 pm

    Politics is at work here. The Trace is dumping on the new law because the folks who finance The Trace want STRICTER laws, with sharper teeth. They are sending a message to San Jose’s bosses to stop pussyfooting around and pass meaningful attacks on guns and gun owners. This article in The Trace is NOT a victory for gun owners, it is merely a tactic to arrange for a more potent attack.

    • Jim March 11, 2022, 8:54 pm

      I had the same thought as I read this.

  • Jim March 11, 2022, 12:31 pm

    Want to stop the carnage in America, shut down every fast food restaurant, the hospitals would become nearly empty.

    • Dan Hayes March 11, 2022, 6:27 pm

      I quit eating Fast Food of any kind in late 1994…and since 1995 I’ve had no sickness at all, not even a Cold in almost 27 Years! I eat very little processed foods also, If possible I make everything fresh…my next stage is moving to the Gulf Coast where I can buy fresh Fish & shellfish off the boats. There’s also a Ranch a little north of Mobile that raises & sells Natural Grass & Grain Fed Pork and Beef. Big Pharma is not the only one poisoning us, our Agricultural Industries, and even Fine Dining establishments are doing the same. Hopefully I’ll soon be able to afford a Moose or Elk Hunt, until then it’ll be White Tail, Wild Hog Sausage and Black Bear in the Freezer.

  • Ken March 11, 2022, 10:28 am

    Government officials that are anti firearms should give up their paid by the public protective details.

    Same for the ultra rich that preach at us about gun control… behind a wall of body guards.

    • Rouge1 March 11, 2022, 10:47 am

      Anyone violating or undermining citizens constitutional right or trying to subvert the constitution should head straight to prison. There is a process to amend the constitution if they dont like your rights.

  • John March 11, 2022, 9:18 am

    Lawyers like the San Jose mayor are simply failed lawyers. A real one hangs out a shingle and goes to work.
    The political lawyer takes the easy job and seeks power that he/she can finally do something in life even if it Is wrong and accomplishes nothing. They are most satisfied with their face in the news.
    What a disgrace to society and themselves but are to blind to see it.

  • Mauser6863 March 11, 2022, 9:07 am

    Forcing those who hold public office to purchase, with their own funds, liability insurance that would protect the public from defamation, lies, fraud and theft of public funds would be in the public interest. However based on the actuarial risk, the daily cost of such a policy would likely be in the millions for local politicians and the billions for national politicians.

    Even with the current 12-14% annual inflation, I don’t see how any of them could afford it. Even George Soros wouldn’t be able to foot the bill.

    • Dan Hayes March 11, 2022, 6:57 pm

      Mauser…you are so RIGHT, up until now, We The People foot the Bill. Just imagine, thousands of sorry ass disbarred Lawyers out looking for a New Scam to rip-off America! I see Bill Clinton being a Male Stripper traveling to Retirement Homes for Wealthy Widows, and Hilary as a Paid Assassin knocking off Competent Lawyers! I see Barry Obama as a Stand-Up Comic, telling people of his Legacy of Greatness & his Transparent Eight Years of Golf and Vacations…and of course Michell…errr-uhhh Michael would be just what he is…A Drag Queen! Pedo Joe would hang out on Playgrounds, stealing Kids Lunch Money while Sniffing their Bicycle Seats, and his son Hunter would become the biggest Crack Dealer on the East Coast, only selling to Himself, Marion Barry and Obama! Ohhhhh Crap…(whop-whop-whop-whop) it’s the Black Choppers…gotta Go!

  • Nicholas March 11, 2022, 8:07 am

    I posted this “Finally, “the individual right” is a right of an ordinary private citizen, asserting personal interests, not a right of a member of a governmental establishment, exercising governmental authority. This enables “gun controllers” to portray “gun control” as a policy proposed in the public interest, and to berate those Americans who oppose “gun control” as “anti-government extremists” acting against the general welfare.”, from an article titled What “Right To Keep And Bear Arms” Is That?, by Dr. Edwin Vieira, Jr. It created a firestorm on the forum, in which I posted it.
    The 2nd amendment contains 27 words, but with few exceptions, the pro-2nd community disregard the first 13 words as if they are some sort of pariah and have no lawful effect. This despite the fact that long before Heller the S. Ct. ruled as to fact that the 2nd points to the original Constitution and the ultimate power to protect and defend all our rights by the constitutional Militia. And the men who debated and ratified the amendment were clear so that “We the People” would maintain OUR lawful Militia.
    The constitutional Militia being that body the Framers deemed “necessary” to “execute the Laws of the Union” and thereby preventing public officials from creating agencies such as the ATF. Sadly, with few exceptions, the 2nd amendment community, as public officials hope, operate under the principle of never doing anything to actually protect their rights, or that of the community. To wit, “The individual-right theory” deludes ordinary Americans into imagining that, with respect to firearms, individual action is sufficient, collective action unnecessary—when, as history repetitively evidences, only collective action offers any hope of successful deterrence, let alone resistance, against usurpers, oppressors, and tyrants. By inducing inactivity this mental intoxication is particularly pernicious, because in the realm of politics evildoers never sleep, but good men all too often do.” Quoted from the same article.

    • Jonjonz,mhfm March 11, 2022, 9:22 am

      Tell that to the Ukraine

      • uncle freddy March 11, 2022, 2:36 pm

        Screw Ukraine! Who gives rats ass. We have a BIG problem right here. Stop parroting MSM brainwash BS!

        • Dan Hayes March 11, 2022, 8:32 pm

          Freddy…I wish you were my Uncle! LOL! Amen Brother…errrr Uncle, I’ve been telling everyone from the beginning of this Farce that the Progressive Libs are up to their Eyeballs in this. Let’s see, what country are all the Kids of the Libs working in as Advisors…uhhh, could it be the Ukraine? Correct! You can see it in Biden’s Eyes and Body Language when speaking of the situation, that he’s looking for the Golden BB to enter his Cranium. THIS IS THE BASIC DEMOCRATIC DISTRACTION…happens every single Election year, except this time they had to come up with something worse then their Chinese Lab Created Disease…COVID! I had to be Shocking…I always tell friends that these thing happen to keep us from seeing/hearing about what they’re REALLY DOING! In less then 18 Months, Baby Raper Joe has destroyed our economy, the Business that was coming back is now leaving for good, they destroyed the Jobs Trump Created with COVID, which I think is a Farce & so does my Doc. He said anytime someone with a Respiratory based Flu is treated with a Respirator, it turns into Pneumonia and if you continue with that same treatment, it’s going to Kill that Patient…especially if they use a CPAP while sleeping. My Pain Management Doc told me that’s a load of crap…on my next visit, she apologized & said I was right. She tried to tell her Boss the next day and was fired…I don’t do Conspiracy Theories, I do Conspiracy Facts. What I heard from a friend 3+ Years ago, about the NWO wanting to eliminate half the worlds population is starting to sound far too real. All I know is that whatever it is…I am Immune…haven’t been sick in almost 27 years, and I’m 65…not even a Cold! All I know is, Putin is far too smart to go off on a tangent like this & Adolph Obama installed the Ukraines present Puppet “DICK”tater & that a whole bunch of Liberals Kids are come home with Million/Billion Dollar Paychecks for doing NOTHING!

          Oh, BTW…the Ukraine’s Land Mass Holds Most all the Natural Resources that were once in the Old USSR! Something smells like Day Old Beached Whale to Me!

          Rant Over…Fungus Out!

  • Roger D March 11, 2022, 7:37 am

    Government and the politicians have become way to comfortable ignoring the laws they have written and in creating new law KNOWING it will never stand up to judicial review. What they have learned is an ordinance such as this can be created and enforced for years while litigation goes on for years. They are paying for this litigation with your money not theirs. Gun rights groups have to pick and choose their fights due to limited funding. This has been a winning strategy for the Left over time. Then the new hair brained unconstitutional law is enacted. A never ending of trying to grind down the enemy.

    • Mark K March 11, 2022, 8:13 am

      You are right, Roger D; these laws are passed by people who KNOW they won’t stand up. But the purpose of these laws isn’t safety (or even trying to get guns out of society). The point of these laws is purely political. Whatever the courts rule — this is unconstitutional, or toss it out for other reasons — the politicians can stand up and say “I passed a “commonsense” law to protect you; the courts struck it down; it’s their fault.” This sort of thing gets cheers at lefty gatherings, and, more important, VOTES in the next election, thereby preserving the power of those who voted to pass the stupid thing. And THAT is what it’s about. Power and nothing else.
      The real (and interesting) question, is whether such action that GETS the politician lefty votes at the next election will LOSE them MORE sensible votes in the next election. If those of us on the constitutional side of this issue will remember, just as well as the lefties, what these folks did, and make it count at the ballot box, this sort of thing will disappear, because the politician who votes for it won’t get to vote anymore; he’ll be tossed out of office. The “overwhelming” sentiment of San Jose voters (according to this article) would cause the defeat of all these incumbents.
      Anybody wanna bet how many of them get tossed out in the next election? THAT is the ultimate problem.

  • Bob Stovall March 11, 2022, 6:35 am

    The Gun Grabbers never sleep. They, ceaselessly, invent new ways to deprive Americans of one of humanity’s most fundamental rights; that of self-protection, against predators that do NOT obey laws of any kind. The Bumper Sticker slogan “When Guns are Outlawed Only Outlaws Will Have Guns” is more than just a bumper sticker; it is just plain, good sense. Again, laws adopted with the stated objective of ‘protecting citizens’ do EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE; they ENDANGER the very people about whom their proponents claim to care so much by WEAKENING the individual right to self-protection while EMPOWERING the very criminals that threaten the lives of all Americans.

    Never vote Democrat and NEVER vote for ANY Republican that doesn’t stand firmly in support of the Second Amendment and any attempt to weaken your guaranteed right to keep and bear arms without limitation.

    • John April 8, 2022, 6:31 pm

      Interesting that you mentioned that bumper sticker because those are the words that we had on our hunting hats in 1966 when they were going to start the gun registration. It still is fact and in England that is the situation. Bobbies with sticks and crooks with guns.

  • Ger March 11, 2022, 5:01 am

    It’s a fake, virtue-signaling nothing of a law. I’m surprised it took so long for the left to figure that out, but they aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer….

    • uncle freddy March 11, 2022, 2:40 pm

      They’re sharper than they would have you believe, by design. NEVER underestimate your enemy, NEVER!

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