In light of the recent tax imposed on the citizens of Cook County, your NRA-ILA has worked with Representative Jerry F. Costello (D-116) to introduce House Bill 4348. HB 4348 would prevent any unit of local government from adding additional taxes to firearms, ammunition, or firearm components and accessories. This legislation would remove the recent ammunition tax imposed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
Last month, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a proposal which imposes a $0.05/cartridge tax on all centerfire ammunition and a $0.01/cartridge tax on all rimfire ammunition, and would therefore penalize law-abiding gun owners for exercising their fundamental right to keep and bear arms. By definition, holders of a valid FOID card are the only persons legally permitted to purchase ammunition in Illinois, and are therefore the only persons subject to this tax – not the criminals responsible for the violence on the streets of Chicago.
HB 4348 has been referred to the Rules Committee where it awaits action. In the meantime, NRA would encourage all members to call their Representative and urge him or her to co-sponsor HB 4348. The Legislature is currently adjourned until January, but legislators can be contacted at their district offices.