The purpose of this idea is to place the impact of loss on the shoulders of those who profit from and support the industry as consumers. When considering the potential of the enormity of this fund legislation idea, one realizes what injuries actually cost Americans in financial loss to victims and their families and the emotional impact the ongoing tragedies create.
Description: A Guns and Explosives Victims’ Fund
How would this be funded? : By a fee charged to every gun and explosives buyer and seller from manufacturer to end consumer including:
Manufacturers
Importers
Wholesalers
Retailers
Resellers
End Consumers
Exempt: All government agencies
For whom would the fund be created? : Every victim of an injury or death incurred by guns or explosives.
What would the fund cover? : All victim out-of-pocket costs for:
Medical treatment
Rehabilitation
Funeral (up to a stated limit adjusted annually)
Surviving legal orphaned children up to the age of 19 with limits:
Unmarried
Paid monthly up to a stated limit and adjusted annually
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Would criminal and/or self-inflicted injuries and occupational injuries such as for police and military be eligible?
A1: Yes. The burden of these injuries would fall on the family or government otherwise.
Q2: Would the fund be available based on qualifiers such as income or assets?
A2: No. Every victim, estate administrator or designated guardian would be entitled to submit out-of-pocket expenses without qualification.
Q3: How would the fee imposed on the industry be determined?
A3: An estimate of claims would be determined based on historical statistics and projections. Adjustments to the fees would be made annually.
Q4: Would claimants be able to include pain and suffering or lost wages?
A4: No. The intent of the fund is to offset out-of-pocket expenses with the exception of the surviving children’s claims.
Q5: Would victims be able to double-dip for expenses covered by private insurance?
A5: No. The intent of the fund is to cover out-of-pocket expenses. Victims can opt to forego insurance claims in lieu of fund claims. Insurance companies and other benefits funds including Medicare and Medicaid can make claims for reimbursement.
Q6: Who would administer the fund and how would they be paid?
A6: This would be a self-funded trust with a Board of nine Directors elected by only one vote per each Senator and Congressperson. Those elected would have four-year terms with an exception for the first year. The first Board would have two Directors for one year, two Directors for two years, two Directors for three years and three Directors for four-year appointments. Those elected will be at least twenty-one years of age and not currently holding any elected public office.
Q7: Would the government be expected to supplement the fund if there are more claims than funds?
A7: No. The fund would use commercial banking means to obtain loans prior to any adjustment period with the annual budget adjusted to repay loans and project needs as closely as possible annually.
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