On February 8th, the San Jose City Council will hold the final vote for File 22-045, to require gun owners to pay an annual tax and purchase liability insurance. The council previously voted to pass this ordinance on January 25th, but it still requires a final vote for adoption. If passed, it will become effective in August.
The meeting will be held remotely by video conference. For information on participating in the meeting, submitting eComments, or to view the agenda, you may click here. Please email a public comment to [email protected], submit an eComment, and click the button below, to contact City Council members and ask them to OPPOSE File 22-045.
File 22-045, the so-called “Gun Harm Reduction Ordinance,” requires gun owners to pay an annual fee and have liability insurance coverage for firearm-related “death, injury, or property damage.” Gun owners are required to fill out and sign a city–provided form attesting to compliance, and also to sign new forms each time their insurance information changes. They are required to keep this form, along with proof of payment for the annual tax, with their firearms wherever they are being stored or transported. Failure to comply will result in firearms being impounded.
This is an attempt to punish law-abiding gun owners for owning a lawful product, by making them pay for the activities of criminals. Taxing lawful ownership and requiring insurance will do nothing to reduce gun violence, which is often committed by repeat criminals who will not be paying the fees or obtaining insurance. It simply increases the cost for law-abiding citizens to exercise a constitutional right. Violent criminals in illegal possession of firearms cannot be required to comply with these measures, as the ordinance’s attestation requirements violate their right against self-incrimination.
Please spread the word to fellow gun owners and other Second Amendment supporters.
