SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1440        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1476

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Barrett

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to require liability insurance for gun ownership.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1440        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1476

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1537 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act to require liability insurance for gun ownership.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 140 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 207. (a) Whoever possess, carries or owns a firearm, rifle or shotgun without a liability policy or bond or deposit required by the provisions of this chapter, which has not been provided and maintained in accordance therewith, shall be punished by a fine of not less than 500 nor more than 5,000 dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year in a house of correction, or both such fine and imprisonment. This section shall not apply to a person who possesses a firearm, rifle or shotgun on a temporary basis while on the premises of a licensed gun club.

(b) The commissioner of insurance shall promulgate regulations setting forth the minimum terms of liability insurance policies which shall satisfy the requirements of this section.