For victims of violence: Mayor asks gun owners to pay

The California city of San Jose pays more than $ 40 million each year for the effects of gun violence. The mayor wants to reclaim the money from the gun owners – including a fee.

May 26, 2021 in a tram depot in San Jose, California: An employee of the transport company shot and killed nine colleagues in a few minutes. He has two semi-automatic weapons and eleven magazines. A colleague feels helpless. Another is grateful to have survived.

That attack in May was the 232nd that year in the United States in which at least three people were injured or died from weapons. There are now almost 400. “And it keeps happening,” said Gavin Newsome, California’s Democratic governor, the day after. “What’s wrong with us here?”

Costs that would otherwise be borne by the general public

But May 26th changes something in the metropolis. The effects of gun violence cost San Jose over $ 40 million each year. The Democratic Mayor Sam Liccardo wants them back from the gun owners. You are supposed to pay a fee. “This should cover the costs for the ambulance, the police and the emergency rooms, which the general public would otherwise have to pay,” says Liccardo.

In addition, everyone with a weapon should take out liability insurance. “It works like a car insurance policy. The aim is to compensate the victims of gun violence.”

“An important moment to try it”

The plan has been around for two years, there has never been a majority: until now. “This moment of pain showed that we have to do something. An important moment to try it,” says Liccardo.

No other city in the US has had comparable rules to date. Student Christal doesn’t always feel safe in San Jose. Too much is happening here for that. Gun violence is too common for that: “There has already been shooting in our library. Here, right behind us,” adds her friend Shaun. “Even if we are not directly affected, we are constantly tense because we are always so close.” He considers insurance for gun owners to be the right approach.

“A PR campaign by the mayor”

Sam Peredes does not do that: “This is a PR campaign by the mayor. An insurance against armed violence – that is not legally possible.” Paredes is the head of the Gunowners of California, a gun lobby association with 30,000 members. He himself owns “many” weapons, for hunting and self-defense, as he says. There are 40 million in California. “To think that the government can reduce that number is crazy.”

Because the second amendment to the constitution protects the right to own and carry weapons. “Anyone who introduces insurance now makes the law a privilege.” In addition, not every city can have its own rules, and criminals can always get weapons, with or without insurance. As soon as that comes into effect, his association wants to sue and Paredes is confident of winning.

Just like Mayor Liccardo, himself a lawyer. “If the fees are justified, then that’s okay. That won’t end the gun violence. But if someone doesn’t have insurance, the gun can be confiscated. That makes it a bit safer,” he argues.