Would you be surprised that Illinois, which contains the murder capital of the US (Chicago) despite draconian and oppressive gun laws aimed at law abiding citizens, is leading the way?
(USA Today) Cook County, Ill., this month began collecting a $25 tax on gun purchases, and at least six states are considering new taxes on firearms or ammunition as a way to help pay for the consequences of gun violence.
The Cook County tax applies to purchases in Chicago’s suburbs, but not the city. The tax is expected to raise $600,000 a year, which will help pay for indigent gunshot victims’ medical care at county-run Stroger Hospital.
The criminals, especially the gan-bangers, are thrilled with this tax, which won’t affect themselves. It just makes it more costly for those who want guns for hunting, target shooting, and most especially, defense from those who roam the lawless streets of Chicago and the surrounding area.
Gun and ammunition purchases are subject to local sales taxes, and manufacturers pay a federal excise tax — 10% for pistols and revolvers, 11% for other guns, shells and cartridges — that funds wildlife programs.
Lawrence Keane, general counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which represents gun manufacturers, distributors and retailers, says proposals for new gun taxes are “a coordinated effort by gun-control groups to try to impose a poll tax on the exercise of the Second Amendment.”
This is double taxation on the law abiding citizens, who will have to pay the tax as they are treated like the criminal. It’s not against the Constitution, but the Supreme Court has previously ruled against the ability to tax the same item/property/person more than once.
Democrats in Congress have submitted legislation putting a 10% tax on handgun purchases. New Jersey, Washington, California, Nevada*, Massachusetts, and Maryland have all passed or are looking to pass taxes on gun and ammunition purchases.
The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill that includes a fee of up to $25 for handgun licenses. Delegate Jon Cardin, a Democrat, also proposed a 50% tax on ammunition purchases to increase funding for mental health programs and to modernize permitting and licensing procedures.
“This is not taking away people’s guns,” Cardin says.
Perhaps not, but it is making it more and more expensive for law abiding citizens to purchase and use their guns, much like the tax on cigarettes. Except guns are covered by the US Constitution. And, really, none of this affects the criminal, the person who would use a gun in a violent crime. Strange how virtually none of the legislation, be it the aforementioned taxes or others, is aimed at actual criminals, wouldn’t you say?
*Yes, Nevada is a liberal state, at least in the Legislature, which Democrats control.
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.
Every Amendment (except the 3rd) has had restrictions placed on it. The 1st guarantees freedom of the press and free speech, but of course there are limits on taht, why not limits on the 2nd? Why noy restrict ownership, we already restrict tit from law abiding mentally handicapped.
Chicago’s murder rate has continued to drop. Thanks for showing taht the gun control laws are bringing down that rate.
John,
You say that every amendment has had restrictions on it. Please give one amendment that has a restriction placed on the intent of the amendment. Please give one amendment where there is a restriction on the legal activity protected by the amendment.
You can;t.
And as for Chicagp’s murder rate, the city’s rate is higher than cities with less restrictive gun control measures. So you lose that point as well.
Oh and john, such taxes and registrations have and adverse and disproportional impact on the poor who can least afford the taxes and fees.
Liberals hate the poor and seek to keep them depressed.
Remember, in John’s World the only thing that should have no restrictions is the 0.5th Amendment on abortion.
All those states mentioned are controlled by the dims. Is it any surprise that they want to use the tragedy to increase taxes on the citizenry? Not so much IMHO.
Guess those states hate gun makers and gun & ammow shops locating in their cities and states?
Cheaper, and more supportive, to leave the state, else take your gun dollars to another state.
When a locale can take away your gun rights at the drop of a hat, for whatever reason, then it is no longer treated as a right given to us by GOD.
It is a controlled object that is rescinded at the will and feelings of a govt bureaucrat.
It’s time you people who believe in gun rights, get out of anti-gun states. Quit allowing your rights to be negated and seized.
sorry, forgot link