The Clash of the Titans: Insurance Companies vs. the Gun Lobby

This oughtta be entertaining, a collision between two of the country’s most powerful — and hated — interest groups.  Politicians are scared shitless of the NRA and other gun-owner groups, who are determined to allow teachers to carry concealed weapons in the classroom and/or have armed guards “protecting” our schools.  And what the NRA wants, the NRA gets.

OOPS.  Insurance companies might not provide coverage for school districts that allow armed teachers in the classroom.  Gee, what a shame.  For once it’s not just hospital patients who get shat on by their insurance company.

Some insurance companies are flat-out refusing to provide coverage if a school allows teachers to carry guns.  Other insurers will provide coverage, but only at a much much higher premium.  For instance, how about paying an additional $5,000 a year for every teacher who’s armed?  And you thought your local school district was already strapped for cash.

On top of that, the insurance industry doesn’t consider armed guards in schools to be a good risk.  Love ‘em or hate ‘em, insurance companies know a thing or two about calculating risk.  Jenny Emery, head of the Association of Governmental Risk Pools, said:

“I haven’t seen evidence yet that suggests people are determining that arming teachers is a recommended way to manage risk.  Far from it.”

Aaarrgghh, what do they know?  Insurance companies are gonna take our guns away!  The insurance industry hates America.