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Recommendation # 9: Gun Violence Cost Reductions

Addressing the stop school shooting issue in Minnesota overlaps with general gun violence discussions. If we could lower the Minnesota costs of gun violence, we would save lives, injuries, and tax dollars. The total societal cost of gun violence is estimated to be $6.2 billion/yr. Minnesota taxpayers incur about $105.5 million of the total societal costs. The financial burden is almost entirely paid for by taxpayers who may or may not even own a weapon. Legislators should require manufacturers, retailers, and gun owners to recover all or a significant part of Minnesota's total societal costs of $6.2 billion and $105.5 million via excise taxes or gun insurance requirements.

Survey Results Thus Far

Implementation Suggestions Option 9.a

Implementation Suggestions Option 9.a: There is precedent at National, Minnesota and local levels to use excise taxes to recover governmental expenditures on items like tobacco, alcohol, travel, and others. The Minnesota Contractors Fraud Fund is an example of an industry having to fund damages to individuals. Excise taxes would increase the cost of guns, and thereby reduce the number of guns to commit crimes.

Recommendation #9b: Gun Violence Cost Reductions

Legislators should require gun owners to carry insurance sufficient to recover all or a significant part of Minnesota's total societal costs of $6.2 billion & direct taxpayer costs of $105.5 million via gun insurance requirements. A portion of the premiums could credit the State's DPS expenses or it could be used toward the Crime Victims Fund.

Survey Results Thus Far

Implementation Suggestions

Insurance is required in numerous situations to protect an individual or other legal entity from damages caused by another. Gun owner's insurance policy premiums should use an actuarial process to calculate the recoverable costs. Premiums, would be based upon age, personal history with the law, and the specific weapon seeking coverage. Coverage could be documented on driver licenses and databases, accessible via cell phone, could enable immediate information for police investigations. If no coverage, weapons should be confiscated until owners acquire insurance coverage. Weak homeowner type insurance policies would not be allowed to count as insurance coverage.

Note: Since different data sources can have different data definitions, FBI data for 2008-2017 and CDC/PEW data for 2018-2022 were consolidated. National data definitions are not always the same i.e., CDC does not have "not specified data" and several FBI data source do not always have Firearm type specified. However, the differences are not material for this analysis comparing handguns and rifles. Some rifle data includes assault rifles.

Recommendation # 9: Gun Violence Cost Reductions

Survey Results Thus Far

Implementation Suggestions Option 9.a

Recommendation #9b: Gun Violence Cost Reductions

Survey Results Thus Far

Implementation Suggestions

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