A new wave of legislation is sweeping across the United States, aiming to impose heavy taxes on firearms and ammunition. Spearheaded by the gun control lobby and supported by anti-gun politicians, this initiative seeks to levy significant financial burdens on lawful gun owners. Leading the charge is California, where Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition. This unprecedented move is designed to fund violence prevention programs and trauma services.
California’s legislation has inspired similar proposals in other states, demonstrating a coordinated effort by anti-gun forces nationwide. States such as Colorado, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, New Mexico, and Maryland have recently considered bills modeled after California’s tax, aiming to impose additional costs on firearm manufacturers and retailers.
Dr. Thomas Scalea, head of trauma at the University of Maryland’s Cowley Shock Trauma Center, highlighted the alleged financial strain caused by treating uninsured gunshot victims in his testimony supporting Maryland’s proposed tax. He argued that the tax would align resources with the “burden of the disease,” emphasizing the need for sustainable funding for trauma care.
However, critics argue that these taxes are a thinly veiled attempt to undermine Second Amendment rights by making gun ownership prohibitively expensive. They point out that responsible gun ownership should not be penalized, and that such taxes unfairly burden law-abiding citizens while doing little to address the root causes of gun violence.
In stark contrast, Texas is taking a different approach. Texas Gun Rights is leading the charge against these punitive measures, supporting legislation that would create a permanent sales tax holiday for all purchases of firearms, ammunition, and firearms accessories. This initiative builds on the efforts of Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton, who introduced a similar bill, SB 228, in 2015. Although the measure died in the House under the leadership of former anti-gun Speaker Joe Straus, Texas Gun Rights is determined to revive it during the upcoming 89th legislative session in 2025.
The proposed tax holiday in Texas aims to ensure that firearms remain accessible to law-abiding citizens, countering the heavy taxation efforts seen in other states.
The contrast between states like California and Texas highlights the deep divisions in the national conversation about firearms. While some states move to restrict access through heavy taxation, others, like Texas, are steadfast in their commitment to preserving gun rights.
This ongoing battle underscores the contentious nature of gun control in America, with both sides preparing for a prolonged and heated fight.
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