State Watch

New York Gov. Cuomo calls on states to outlaw NRA-branded insurance coverage

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is urging other states to consider outlawing a National Rifle Association (NRA) branded insurance program that offers liability coverage for people who fire a gun.

New York officials ruled in May that the “Carry Guard” insurance program was illegal, finding that it offered coverage to gun owners who fired a weapon in cases of “intentional wrongdoing.”

Cuomo said in a release Saturday that he is calling on other states “to join New York to outlaw this absurd program that insures intentional criminal conduct” if they determine the program also violates their state’s laws.

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The Hill has reached out to the NRA for comment.

The NRA filed an amended complaint against Cuomo and the state’s financial regulators in district court last month, alleging that their actions had cost the gun group its insurance and could make it “unable to exist.”

The gun group cited Cuomo’s statements urging New York businesses to reconsider their ties to the NRA, and claimed that the state was violating its First Amendment rights.

The state filed a motion to dismiss on Friday, saying it had not violated the NRA’s First Amendment rights.

“If the NRA goes bankrupt because of the State of New York, they’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. I’ll see you in court,” Cuomo said in the release on Saturday.