South OC Times

Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), and Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) have introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act, which aims to prohibit states from implementing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition intended to fund gun control programs.

“For years, extreme state policies and governors, including currently from my home state, have targeted our fundamental Second Amendment rights. The latest attack is California’s imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition, which equates a core constitutional freedom with gambling or drug use. Enough is enough. That’s why Sen. Risch and I are joining forces to stop any state tax that seeks to raise the price of self-defense out of reach for any American,” said Rep. Issa.

“The Biden Administration and the Democrats will stop at nothing to try and target the Second Amendment. This unconstitutional tax is an attempt to prevent you from exercising your right to keep and bear arms, and our bill will put a stop to it,” said Rep. Hudson.

“Democrats’ latest attack on the Second Amendment looks like an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives,” said Sen. Risch. “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.”

As of July 1, 2024, California implemented a new 10-11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition aimed at discouraging purchases and funding gun control programs. These added fees now double the tax on gun and ammunition purchases. Colorado, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and New York have proposed similar taxes.

Issa, Hudson, and Risch are joined by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) in introducing the legislation.

The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act has received support from several organizations including the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), National Rifle Association (NRA), Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition (FRAC), and Police Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).

“State efforts to levy excise taxes on firearms and ammunition at the point of sale are placing significant financial barriers to the lawful exercise of constitutionally protected rights. More cravenly, these taxes are being used to fund special-interest efforts to further infringe on those rights. These excise taxes don’t reduce criminal misuse of firearms. The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics own studies show 90 percent of felons convicted of using a firearm in their crimes illegally obtained those firearms. The firearm industry supports the federal Pittman-Robertson excise tax on firearms and ammunition that is solely administered for wildlife conservation and recreational shooting range development because these funds benefit not just future generations of sportsmen and women but also contribute to safe and responsible firearm ownership. NSSF is grateful to Senator Jim Risch for his leadership to protect law-abiding citizens across the country from these misguided and punitive measures,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

“States like California and others want to levy excise taxes on firearms and ammunition with the clear intent to punish law-abiding gun owners and dismantle the Second Amendment. Senator Risch’s bill would prevent these blatant and egregious attacks on the rights of Americans, and the National Rifle Association is proud to support this legislation,” said Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.

The text of the bill can be found here.