How AB 3067 Aims to Use Insurance to Promote Safer Gun Storage in California

Published Date: 03/01/2024

In California, a new legislative proposal is looking to use insurance to address the ongoing issue of firearm safety. Assembly Bill 3067 (AB 3067), introduced by Senator Catherine Blakespear, seeks to encourage safer gun storage by leveraging market incentives, rather than restricting gun ownership. The bill proposes that insurance companies collect data about firearms storage as part of property insurance policies, using this information to offer discounts for safe storage practices. This innovative approach could significantly impact gun safety and help reduce preventable firearm deaths.

1. The Core of AB 3067: Using Insurance to Encourage Safe Gun Storage

AB 3067 would require insurance companies to ask policyholders basic questions about firearms when issuing or renewing property insurance policies:

• Do you have firearms on your premises?
• How many firearms do you own?
• Are they securely stored in compliance with California’s safe storage laws?

The bill does not create a registry or collect personal identifying information but requires insurers to provide aggregated, anonymized data to the California Department of Justice. This information would allow policymakers to better understand firearm storage habits statewide, aiming to shift behavior towards safer practices by offering insurance incentives, much like the discounts provided for home security systems or fire mitigation efforts.

2. Why Safe Storage Matters: The Impact of Unsafe Gun Storage

The bill’s motivation stems from alarming statistics, particularly that three out of four guns used in school shootings are sourced from the home. Unsafe storage is also linked to accidental shootings, youth suicides, and domestic violence. Senator Blakespear emphasizes that properly locking firearms can prevent access by children, intruders, or anyone in crisis, thereby reducing the risk of tragic outcomes. AB 3067 aims to reinforce firearm safety education through the insurance industry, reminding every homeowner, renter, or condo owner about the importance of safe storage.

3. How Insurance Can Encourage Behavioral Change

Insurance has long used financial incentives to shape consumer behavior, such as offering discounts for installing burglar alarms, fire sprinklers, or pool fencing. AB 3067 seeks to apply the same logic to firearms. If insurers can collect data on safe storage practices, they can offer lower premiums to households that follow best practices. Over time, this could create a positive feedback loop, encouraging gun owners to store firearms safely while also rewarding them for doing so.

As Susman explains, “The more information insurers have, the more accurately they can price policies—and that’s good for everyone.” By aligning safe storage with lower premiums, AB 3067 would foster a culture of responsibility around gun ownership.

4. Addressing Common Misconceptions

Whenever firearms and insurance are discussed together, misconceptions tend to arise. AB 3067 directly addresses these concerns:

• It’s a gun registry: The bill does not collect personal information. The data provided is anonymized and aggregated to help state agencies understand firearm storage trends and inform public education efforts.
• It’s about confiscation or restricting ownership: AB 3067 does not seek to restrict gun ownership. It is grounded in the principle that gun ownership is a constitutional right but emphasizes that with rights come responsibilities. The bill promotes responsible behavior without infringing on individual liberties.
• People will lie on their applications: While fraud is always a concern, both Blakespear and Susman note that false statements on insurance applications already carry legal and contractual penalties. Even imperfect data is better than none—it sparks a necessary conversation about safety and accountability.

5. Drawing Parallels to Car Safety and Insurance

Blakespear often compares the proposed bill to car safety, noting that both cars and guns are deeply embedded in American culture and pose risks when mishandled. Over the years, car-related deaths have dropped significantly due to regulation, insurance incentives, and public awareness—examples include airbags, seat belts, and anti-lock brakes. She envisions a similar trajectory for firearms, aiming to reduce injuries and deaths through design, education, and accountability.

This approach mirrors the public health model, focusing on identifying and reducing risks systematically, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.

6. The Insurance Industry's Response to AB 3067

So far, the insurance industry has responded cautiously to AB 3067, with some insurers historically avoiding direct involvement in gun-related risk. In a previous bill, Blakespear proposed requiring gun owners to carry liability insurance for accidental shootings, but it faced resistance from the industry. This time, the approach is more incremental—starting with data collection and voluntary incentives.

Susman, a long-time California insurance expert, believes that this approach is wise. “If insurers can use data to reward safer behavior, they’ll be more likely to support it,” he says. The bill’s focus on data collection and safe-storage incentives provides insurers the flexibility to adjust their underwriting models over time.

7. Data Privacy and Transparency

A key aspect of AB 3067 is ensuring that the data collected is free from personal identifying information. The anonymized data will provide insights into firearm storage practices and guide public safety campaigns. By removing personal identifiers, the bill ensures transparency while protecting privacy.

Blakespear clarified, “This would give us hard data to inform outreach, public service campaigns, and educational efforts,” rather than relying on anecdotal information. The first round of data collection is expected to begin in January 2026, with anonymized reports due to the state by January 2027.

8. Why AB 3067 Matters: A Balanced Approach to Gun Safety

AB 3067 represents a pragmatic, middle-ground approach to one of America’s most divisive issues. It does not ban firearms or impose heavy regulations on law-abiding gun owners. Instead, it seeks to promote responsible storage through education, data collection, and market incentives. This model encourages safer practices without restricting ownership, a balance that is key in navigating the polarized gun debate.

As Susman pointed out, “This is literally rewarding people for following the law. That’s what insurance does best—rewarding good behavior that reduces risk.”

9. Looking Ahead: Market Potential and Social Impact

If successful, AB 3067 could pave the way for new market opportunities, encouraging insurers to offer discounts for firearm safety, similar to existing programs for smart home devices or wildfire mitigation efforts. The bill could also lead to a more responsible and safer gun culture.

Blakespear sees significant untapped potential in the insurance market, noting, “Given how many Americans own guns, this is a market that has been completely overlooked. Insurance can be part of the solution—not by restricting rights, but by encouraging responsibility.”

10. Conclusion: Insurance as a Tool for Prevention

AB 3067 represents a pioneering approach to firearm safety. By aligning economic incentives with public safety, the bill aims to create a system where responsible gun ownership is rewarded through insurance. If successful, California could set a national precedent for using data and market forces to reduce gun-related injuries and deaths.

As Blakespear concludes, “Guns aren’t going away. But we can make ownership safer. Insurance already protects us from nearly every other kind of risk—why not this one?”