There are new requirements for gun owners in San Jose, which means new big fines to pay.
In February, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and City Councilmembers adopted a new resolution that requires gun owners in San Jose to pay a $25 Gun Harm Reduction fee.
Now gun owners must also carry documents that prove that they have paid the fee and that they have an insurance policy that covers any firearm-related death, injury, or even property damage.
According to the City of San Jose website, the new requirements aim to hold gun owners accountable for the damage their firearms may cause.
“While the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, it does not require taxpayers to subsidize gun ownership. We won’t magically end gun violence, but we will stop paying for it,” Mayor Liccardo stated.
On Tuesday evening, the Mayor and City Council established fine amounts for those who do not adhere to the requirements.
The fines are as follows:
- $250 – First violation
- $500 – Second violation within one year from the date of a previous violation
- $1,000 – Third and subsequent violations within one year from the date of a previous violation
The NRA says these fines won’t curb violence at all. “Criminals are already ignoring California’s hundreds of gun laws, so it’s doubtful many would rush out and get liability insurance,” an NRA spokesperson says. “But, even if they did, liability insurance doesn’t cover criminal acts. This amounts to nothing but another tax and fine on law-abiding gun owners.”
According to City Council documents, the earliest the city anticipates enforcing this requirement is January 2023. Collection of fines is expected to be “minimal” in the first year of implementation.
