Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver Announces Proposed Legislation Requiring Liability Insurance for Assault Weapons

ATLANTA - State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) today announces proposed legislation in preparation for the 2025 legislative session that would require owners of assault-type weapons in Georgia to obtain and maintain liability insurance for their firearms. The proposed legislation would seek to address the risks associated with the ownership of assault weapons by requiring gun owners to be financially responsible for any damage or injury caused by their firearms.

"If an individual decides to purchase and own an assault-type weapon, Georgia law should require that they ensure the weapon for the damage it may cause," said Rep. Oliver. "I want the insurance industry to help us define the risks and costs associated with assault weapon ownership and work toward prevention of misuse. This is a commonsense approach that encourages responsibility and accountability, and it has the potential to reduce violence and improve public safety."

Rep. Oliver's proposed legislation would require that all owners of assault-type weapons carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance to cover any damages resulting from the misuse of their firearm. The liability insurance would be designed to help compensate victims in the event of injury, death or property damage caused by an assault weapon.

The proposed legislation will be formally introduced during the 2025 legislative session, which will convene on Monday, January 13, 2025.

*Editor's note: the proposed legislation is attached.

Representative Mary Margaret Oliver represents the citizens of District 82, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Public Health Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and the Governmental Affairs, Judiciary, Juvenile Justice and the Technology and Infrastructure Innovation committees.

###