House, Senate bills would ban state excise taxes on guns, ammo, parts

Last week, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and U.S. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-California) and Richard Hudson (R-North Carolina) reintroduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act (S.1169 and H.R.2442, respectively). These pieces of legislation would prohibit states from levying excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and components.

California has already implemented an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition to fund gun control initiatives and to discourage lawful firearm ownership. Colorado also recently implemented a 6.5% excise tax on firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition. And Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Vermont, and Washington are also considering similar proposals.

“Blue states that implement an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives are exploiting the Second Amendment,” Risch said. “The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act ensures states do not place a significant financial burden on law-abiding gun owners to advance their anti-Second Amendment agenda.”

Here in Ohio: Senate Bill 59 would ban sales tax on guns, ammunition

“For too many years, extreme state policies — including from my home state — have targeted our fundamental Second Amendment rights and the American citizens who exercise them,” Issa said. “The latest attack is California’s imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition. This outrageous and unfair burden on law-abiding citizens is why Sen. Risch, Rep. Hudson, and I are working to stop this and other attempts to penalize our people and put the price of self-defense out of reach of any American.”

“Far-left politicians will stop at nothing to undermine the Second Amendment,” Hudson said. "Their latest scheme is an unconstitutional tax that seeks to price you out of your right to keep and bear arms, and this legislation will put a stop to it."

John Commerford, NRA-ILA executive director, also commented.

“There is a growing effort among states to levy excise taxes to discourage firearm ownership. California and Colorado have already implemented a gun tax to fund their gun control efforts and dismantle the Second Amendment,” Commerford said. “This legislation by Senator Risch and Representatives Issa and Hudson would prevent these blatant and egregious attacks on the rights of Americans, and the National Rifle Association is proud to support this legislation.”

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