California Gov. Newsom signs multiple anti-gun bills, likens firearms excise tax to 'sin tax'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 26 hosted a signing ceremony in Sacramento, where he signed multiple anti-gun bills into law, most notably: an 11% excise tax on all firearms and ammunition; vastly expanded concealed-carry restrictions; and a renewed attempt to implement mandatory microstamping in semiautomatic firearms.

During the event, Newsom likened the excise tax on firearms to a ‘sin tax,’ clearly demonstrating his prejudice against the Second Amendment and those who wish to lawfully exercise their rights.

The bills signed into law today include:

Senate Bill 2, among other things, creates new subjective criteria for the issuance of carry permits to allow authorities to arbitrarily deny applicants, restricts permit holders by allowing them to carry only handguns registered to themselves, increases the requirements to apply for a permit, and increases “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens are left defenseless.

Here in Ohio: BFA provides testimony in support of HB 189 to exempt firearms from sales tax

Senate Bill 452, sets forth the process to prohibit non-microstamped semiautomatic pistols from being sold through licensed dealers if the Department of Justice determines the technology is viable and available by 2028. In addition, it also prohibits replacing a microstamping component on such a handgun, unless it is replaced with another “valid” microstamping component. In recent months, a federal court struck down the microstamping requirement, as well as other required features for handgun models to be placed on the California handgun roster. While the attorney general has appealed the decision, he did not appeal the microstamping requirement. To read more about California's microstamping law, click here.​

Assembly Bill 28 places an excise tax of 11% on the sales price of all firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition. These taxes are to be collected from California retailers and placed in a newly created “gun violence” fund for appropriation by the state legislature. It is unjust to saddle law-abiding gun owners with special taxes. Such a measure makes it more expensive for law-abiding citizens to exercise a constitutional right and discourages them from practicing to be safe and proficient with their firearms for purposes such as self-defense, competition, and hunting.

Assembly Bill 1089 expands California’s ban on private citizens, and nonprofessional users, making firearms with CNC milling machines, or possessing CNC milling machines that have the “primary” or “intended” function of manufacturing firearms, to also include 3D printers. This is simply another scheme to harass law-abiding hobbyists by preventing them from using modern manufacturing techniques for otherwise lawful purposes.

Assembly Bill 1587 requires that credit card issuers use specified Merchant Category Codes to designate firearm and ammunition retailers.

These laws will do nothing to impact criminal elements who operate in California; they will only install more roadblocks and hindrances for law-abiding gun owners across the state. NRA's legal team will be exploring and pursuing legal challenges to help protect your rights in California and beyond.

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