We recently reported about federal legislation that would ban states from placing punitive excise taxes on the sale of firearms and ammunition.
California Republican U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, one of the sponsors of the Freedom From Unfair Gun Taxes Act, said that for years extreme state policies and governors have targeted the fundamental Second Amendment rights of Americans.
“California’s new imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition equates a core constitutional freedom with gambling or drug use,” Issa said. “Enough is enough. That’s why Sen. (Jim) Risch and I are joining forces to introduce this key legislation and stop any state tax that seeks to raise the price of self-defense out of reach for any American.”
Ironically, just a week after the introduction of that federal measure another state is attempting to raise funding on the backs of gun owners. During the current special session of the Nebraska Legislature a measure was introduced that would place a 5% excise tax on all ammunition sales in the Cornhusker State.
The measure is Legislative Bill 65, authored by Democrat Justin Wayne. And according to the measure’s language, the revenue will go to the state Department of Revenue, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Game and Parks Commission.
“The department shall remit the proceeds of the excise tax imposed by this section to the State Treasurer for credit as follows: (a) Fifty percent to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund; (b) Thirty-five percent to the Wildlife Management Grant Program Fund; and (c) Fifteen percent to the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Grant Program Fund.”
The language of the bill didn’t explain why lawful gun owners practicing their Second Amendment rights were singled out to fund those efforts. Presumably, it is along the lines of a sin tax like those placed on alcohol and tobacco, but this time the “sin” is practicing a constitutionally protected right.
As NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action put it: “LB 65 is a property tax cash grab, saddled on the backs of gun owners. Proponents of LB 65 focus their support on the resources this legislation offers for wildlife conservation efforts and programs to provide support to those suffering from PTSD. That’s only half the story and half of the fund’s allocations. The other remaining 50% is allocated for a property tax cash fund.”
This is just the kind of tax that the federal legislation discussed earlier is trying to bring to an end. But the greed of anti-gun politicians looking to fill budget shortfalls apparently has no limits.
As Sen. Risch said after introduction of the federal legislation to end these tactics: “Democrats’ latest attack on the Second Amendment looks like an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives. The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Actensures states do not place a significant financial burden on law-abiding gun owners to advance their anti-Second Amendment agenda.”
Nebraska LB 65 was heard last week in the Senate Revenue committee. A vote on the bill could be held at any time.
This is a Republican state at every level, so why does a frivolous bill introduced by reliably antigun Democrats matter?
It’s relevant to bring light to the continuing repression and attempted repression of civil rights on 2A matters. The socialists & commies in this country will never stop until they get the US to bend a knee to their belief system. I see this story as a way of doxing the faces behind these unconstitutional maneuvers. The peeps in Nebraska now have the opportunity to act accordingly in subsequent elections.
The “logic” behind such a tax put forth by democrats likely resides somewhere along the lines of “our” acceptance, or acquiescence to the 80+ year old Pittman-Robertson Act, which is 11%. Golly, serfs- we’re only asking for another 5%…
A better bill introduction, nation-wide, would be abolishing all sales tax on firearms and ammo, since NICS numbers over the past 5 years clearly indicate that Americans, in general, have come to view both as essential items.
Through the magic of virtue signaling cynical cash grabs become emotionally anchored sacred cows. It’s all in the marketing.
Never has a more truthful statement been made. ^^^
Trust California to lead the way with another bad idea. Our sin tax of 11% (on top of sales tax of 7.25% or more, and transfer fees of $37) was imposed July 1.
In Crook Er Cook county,ILL annoy there’s taxes aplenty. $25 slush fund tax on handgun purchase. Over 10% sales tax. No gat retailer has ” good” prices. It ain’t just Commiefornia🙄😧
If you happen to be the last person to leave Commiefornia. Please turn out the lights…If they still work.
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. When it stops moving, subsidize it.
It is the Progressive Way.
RE: “California’s new imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition equates a core constitutional freedom with gambling or drug use,” Issa said. “Enough is enough. That’s why Sen. (Jim) Risch and I are joining forces to introduce this key legislation and stop any state tax that seeks to raise the price of self-defense out of reach for any American.”
Cut the chase. It’s blatant Discrimination against Americans exercising a Constitutional Right. A Constitutional Right disdained by those carrying around an Agenda History Confirms is Rooted in Racism and Genocide called Gun Control.
Discrimination? It’s a democRat Party family tradition…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZFEz3Bt9hCw&feature=shared
SCOTUS continues to make it harder to maintain passed anti gun legislation. I always felt the tax route was the way they would try to restrict firearms use without directly trigger 2nd amendment restrictions. They could get absurd like levying 20 – 50% taxes on guns and ammo.
Levying and collecting are two different animals. In Commiefornia a road trip to Nevada or Utah would preclude their tax collection and they can pound sand and die
For ammo, yes, even though that is technically illegal if you try to bring it back into California. But on long guns, they have to follow California law, including the ten day wait, one gun in thirty days, and all of the taxes. Under federal law, hand guns have to be shipped to a California FFL, which FFL will hit you with all of the taxes before transferring the gun. It will be the same for Nebraskans if the bill passes.
Except for the handgun / federal part, where is the forcing function?
I speculate that what Warren wants, Warren gets, in Nebraska.
“I always felt the tax route was the way they would try to restrict firearms use without directly trigger 2nd amendment restrictions.”
That won’t fly, Google ‘Poll Tax’ to see why…
Get those reloading presses working. These idiots have no idea what primers are for. The technique is far above their tiny minds and they can’t conceive of regular people making actual ammo.
“Fifteen percent to the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Grant Program Fund.”
Thank God that Red States are well administrated and totally don’t allow for bullshit money-grab nonsense slushfunds to be created and then later used as an excuse to increase taxes.
Nebraska LB 65 was heard last week in the Senate Revenue committee. A vote on the bill could be held at any time.
LOL, well thank-fucking Christ that the GOP used their power to kill this nonsense in committee, right? You know, exercising the power to delegated to them by the people, RIGHT!?
Vote R harder next time. LOL!
Two wings, one bird. You’re the prey. Get it through your thick skull that people trained to be “administrators” fucking hate you because they consider you a lower class of creature than they are. They’re born and raised to rule over morons like you.
Now, get back to work, serf.
“”Old Billy was right: let’s kill all the lawyers—kill ’em tonight”
Some good some bad, so lets just kill all of them just a tad.
What’s the difference between a dead liberal and a dead RINO?
Short little skid marks before the RINO.
Kill them all and start over.
No tax bill (MK)ultra BlackPanther Commie Justin Wayne introduces will ever make it out of committee in Nebraska.
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