One thing I can agree with the anti-gun side on is that there is way too much of what many term as "gun violence," or violent crime committed with a firearm. I also happen to think there's too much violent crime committed without guns as well, whereas the other side doesn't seem to care all that much about that kind of violence, but still...

So when someone talks about there being a novel solution to the issue, I want to listen. While it's usually not novel or it's not a solution, sometimes someone might be on to something.

I should have known better, though, when a mommy blog is quoting a TikTok creator, but I did and I was treated to the most staggering display of idiocy ever.

It starts with the headline that grabbed my attention. "TikTok Star Offers Novel Solution To Gun Violence In America," it read.

What followed was not a solution and wasn't even novel.

Among the perpeutally hot button issues in the United States is the subject of guns. While an majority of Americans are in favor of stricter gun laws, including universal background checks, there does not seem to be the political will to move forward with tightening regulations and restrictions on firearms. But TikTok star Ryann, who posts as @ryannpdatsme, offers a novel solution to this fraught topic: gun insurance.

“I don’t say this often, but I think the insurance companies need to get involved,” she says. “In fact I don’t think I’ve ever said that in my life, but ... it’s up to the insurance companies.”

In its own way, it makes sense. She explains...

“Call me radical, but I think the guns should start to have to have insurance policies. ... If I have to insure my Honda Civic you need to insure your gun. As with anything valuable in this life, your health, your phone, your house, your car, you insure it. If your guns are that valuable to you, it shouldn’t be a problem to insure them. Could you imagine? Can’t buy no gun until you’e got gun insurance, baby. Can’t take it nowhere until you’ve got gun insurance. Gotta show your proof of f-cking insurance. If somebody does something stupid with their gun then guess who’s got to pay for it? The insurance company; that’s going to regulate some sh*t real fast.”

My reaction? This:

via GIPHY

First, this isn't novel. People have been pushing the idea to make people insure their guns for years. San Diego even passed a law mandating it, which illustrates the rest of this stupidity.

See, first, the insurance companies can offer a product, but they'd have to get Congress or lower levels of the government to pass a mandate. They have no actual power to make something happen. They can't make people buy their products just because, so getting the insurance companies involved isn't something that will change a damn thing.

Further, let's also understand that the issues with guns come from the willful misuse of a firearm. Even if there's an insurance policy paid in full, no insurance company is going to pay for the criminal actions of that individual. They might cover someone's gun being stolen or someone being negligent, but they're not about to cover someone shooting another person on purpose. It's simply not happening.

"But my Honda Civic-"

Shut up. Just shut the hell up. Your car insurance covers accidents. If you intentionally run someone over, they're not going to cover that.

Further, if someone steals your Civic, they're not getting insurance for it, and most of the issues we see with guns come from stolen guns. Criminals aren't going to get insurance before getting a gun from the guy down the street who just racked up a dozen firearms after busting into a gun store.

Oh, but the stupidity continues.

She further illustrates her point my making the analogy of someone injuring themselves on her property. “If you’re at my house and you fall off my roof, that’s on my home insurance policy, right? If you’re playing with my gun and you shoot somebody, that’s on my gun insurance policy, right?”

She then cheekily adds, “B*tch, I ain’t going to let just anybody have my motherf*cking gun. Hell no: I pay insurance on this b*tch.”

OK, well, unintentional shootings actually are something that would likely be covered by this hypothetical insurance--and apparently is covered under people's homeowners' policies, which clearly the mental giant over at TikTok is unaware of--but the idea that people won't let someone else handle their gun is insane.

People drive borrowed cars all the time.

That alone disputes the idiotic claim made here.

I'm sure there are some redeeming values to TikTok, but if this is the best they've got over there--and at mommy blogs throughout the world--then someone needs to seriously up their game. This isn't new, novel, or even a viable way to address violent crime in this country. Not even if you only focus on those involving a firearm.