Quincy, IL-- Clive Courty owns Gunfun in Quincy. He thinks the proposed law is a very bad idea.

"I believe that they're putting the liability on the honest citizens who can legally own a firearm, and taking it away from the criminal who actually commits the act," said Clive Courty.

Courty also believes this bill would put a financial burden on hunters, who already have expenses for licensing fees. Courty and many gun owners who come to his store say they feel this bill intrudes on their rights.

Gun owner Robert Munger says, "I think it's an insult to all of us gun owners. If it comes to me being sued for protecting my family from criminals, then it's wrong. Why should I pay a criminal for robbing me?"

"The fact that a criminal could commit a crime with a firearm, and you have to be liable for it, that's not right," Courty weighs in.

But KHQA talked to Representative Kenneth Dunkin, who sponsored this proposed bill. He told us that's not the bill's intent. It was designed to protect victims of gun crime and gun owners. He told us over the phone, when it comes to a homeowner protecting his or her home, you're not liable. He also says, if your gun is stolen and used in a violent crime, you're not liable, but you have to report that your gun was stolen right away.

But even so, this bill still draws concerns for area hunters. It even has the attention of Quincy Mayor John Spring, and Republican candidate for Mayor Dave Bellis.  In a statement released February 24th, Bellis says, "this bill has about a zero chance of becoming law."

Mayor Spring says," This bill would require Illinois gun owners to carry an arbitrary amount of $1 million dollars in liability insurance simply because they possess and enjoy lawful firearms.  The bill makes no distinction between types or numbers of firearms.  It makes no allowances for the individual owner's history of gun safety or claims of experience.  It forces the gun enthusiast to share otherwise personal insurance papers with the State Police.  In my view, it's just a gun 'tax' and an intrusion into law-abiding, safety-conscious citizens' personal liberty.  I hope the Illinois House allows it to die in Committee."

Representative Dunkin says he feels confident that this bill will pass into law.  He says right now, the bill is moving through the rules committee.

KHQA will continue to follow this bill to see where it ends up.  Dunkin also told KHQA that he will amend the bill, allowing gun owners to write the gun insurance as a tax deductible...as long as you weren't held liable that year.

We want to hear from you regarding this issue.  Do you think that gun owners should be required to have insurance? There's a poll below.  Feel free to weigh in on the proposed firearms owners insurance bill.