Good hands.

I told you so.

Since the Parkland High School shooting, I've been dedicating this weekly blog to unraveling the truth in America's gun debate. In that pursuit, I've published a few posts on the grease that lubricates all business, the cost of risk-taking, more commonly called liability insurance. For months now, I've predicted it would be underwriters who would turn the tide in this national debate.

It's happening.

You can't buy a car or mortgage a home without insurance. Nor can you rationally operate a business without liability coverage. Right now, media reports say the National Rifle Association (NRA) can't get coverage because the state of New York is pressuring insurers to deny it to the NRA. Lenders are also listening to New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, and his campaign to hobble the NRA by cutting off its liquidity. In fact, the NRA has sighted these issues in a suit against the state of New York. Some are reporting the organization may declare bankruptcy due to these pressures.

So, I believe it's no coincidence that the gun rights group took a shocking stand this week. It is arguing against the position of a Florida shooter in an incident involving that state's "stand your ground" law. There's pressure building on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the incident and Florida legislators are discussing revising the law. All because a man licensed to carry a concealed weapon recently shot and killed another man who had pushed him to the ground in a convenience store parking lot. I shared this event last week. Video from security cameras shows the pushy shopper was actually protecting his girlfriend from the aggressive guy who had approached her vehicle and started an argument over a handicapped parking spot. The sheriff ruled that according to Florida law, the gunman had a right to "stand his ground" when pushed. He then referred the case to the state's attorney to decide. But what about the man's right to protect his girlfriend and their young children in the family car? Did a shove from an unarmed man justify a fatal shot to his chest?

Who would ever imagine that the NRA would side with the person NOT carrying the gun? Probably wouldn't happen as long as they could cover their behinds with insurance. But their support of risky laws like "stand your ground" statutes in nearly half the state's makes the pro-gun club liable for death and damages. And that could be too expensive for those who lend them money or cover their gun business bets. In turn, the NRA cannot afford to offer deals on liability insurance to its members who own guns.

By the way, MGM Resorts, the owners of the Las Vegas Mandalay Bay where a madman killed 58 in 2017, are suing more than 1,000 victims. Incredibly, they've taken this action in an attempt to shed their massive liability. Imagine the cost to them if they lose that suit.

You see, when the risk of losing insurance money is greater than the passion to profit from guns, then Congress and state legislatures will enact common sense gun reform. The Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all evil." (1 Timothy 6:10). And those with pockets deep enough to insure your risk are not in the business of losing what they love.

I told you so. We're in good hands.