Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

California Tax is About Curtailing Exercise of a Constitutional Right

Monday, September 18, 2023

California Tax is About Curtailing Exercise of a Constitutional Right

On September 7, the California Legislature passed AB-28. The bill would place an 11 percent excise tax on the sales price of all firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition. As of press time, the legislation remains on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.

As with the rest of the not-so-Golden State’s ever-increasing maze of gun laws, the legislation is designed to discourage the exercise of the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Understanding that they can’t bring such an unconstitutional justification into a courtroom, the tax’s backers have carefully crafted their messaging to emphasize that the tax will raise revenue for a “gun violence” fund. Of course, this isn’t to say that securing another pile of loot for California’s anti-gun patronage operation at the expense of the one-party state’s political opponents isn’t a supplementary benefit for gun controllers.

However, it appears not all members of the anti-gun messaging apparatus received the official briefing memo. The Washington Post Editorial Board noticed exactly what the California Legislature was up to with AB-28 and vigorously applauded them for it.

In a September 12 editorial titled “California gets smart with a new tax on guns and bullets,” the Post acknowledged the unconstitutional purpose of the bill. The editorial board noted, “The main goal, though, is to save lives, however minimally, by making it more expensive to shoot someone in the first place.” Aside from the fact that “shoot[ing] someone” in lawful self-defense is Second Amendment-protected conduct, the tax makes it “more expensive to shoot” at all.

The paper even likened the legislation to previous attempts to place prohibitive taxes on ammunition and a well-known stand-up routine.

The California legislation is a lineal descendant of Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s (D-N.Y.) 1993 proposal for a 50 percent federal excise tax on handgun bullets. The idea went nowhere in Congress, despite a common-sensical appeal that comedian Chris Rock fashioned into a bit about “bullet control” via a $5,000-a-shot fee.

Making further clear that the tax is intended to discourage Second Amendment-protected conduct, the paper likened the levy to “sin taxes” on alcohol and tobacco. Attempting to appear erudite, the board went on to explain that such taxes are “what economists call ‘Pigouvian taxation,’ so named for Arthur C. Pigou, a British economist who elaborated the concept of discouraging socially costly individual choices.”

Put aside the fact that responsible law-abiding gun owners exercising their Second Amendment rights is not “socially costly.” Is it the Washington Post’s position that Constitutional rights may be taxed if some number of politicians disfavor the right or those exercising it?

Would the editors accept a poll tax imposed by politicians who find it “socially costly” that the poor vote? In October 2022, Gallup reported that only 34 percent of Americans trust “the mass media to report the news ‘fully, accurately and fairly.’” A 2023 report from Gallup and the Knight Foundation found, “Fifty percent of Americans feel most national news organizations intend to mislead, misinform or persuade the public.” Some might view that as “socially costly.” Could a Pigouvian tax be the answer?

Of course not.

Taxes can’t be intended to discourage Americans from exercising their Constitutional rights. The so-called journalists at the Post should know this, considering some of the controlling case law concerned a newspaper.

The 1983 U.S. Supreme Court case Minneapolis Star and Tribune Co. v. Minnesota Com'r of Revenue addressed a discriminatory use tax on paper and ink consumed in publication. The Court determined that the tax was an unconstitutional attack on First Amendment rights. The Court explained that “A power to tax differentially, as opposed to a power to tax generally, gives a government a powerful weapon against the taxpayer selected.” Such a tax targeted at gun owners, would be a similarly suspect attack on Second Amendment rights.

Kudos to the Washington Post for seeing right through the California legislature’s lame messaging on their proposed Second Amendment tax. Shame on the paper for cheering taxing a Constitutional right.

IN THIS ARTICLE
California Tax
TRENDING NOW
Anti-gun Lawmakers Attempt to Ban Essential Second Amendment Arms

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Anti-gun Lawmakers Attempt to Ban Essential Second Amendment Arms

On April 30, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the so-called “Assault Weapons Ban of 2025.” Picking up where his predecessor Dianne Feinstein left off, Schiff’s legislation would ban commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms, such as the AR-15.

Partisan Due Process Renaissance Excludes American Gun Owners

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Partisan Due Process Renaissance Excludes American Gun Owners

An observer of American political discourse can’t go anywhere these days without being bombarded by reproachful references to the importance of “due process.”

Kansas Supreme Court Enforces PLCAA in High Profile Case

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Kansas Supreme Court Enforces PLCAA in High Profile Case

Last week, the Kansas Supreme Court upheld a significant district court dismissal in Johnson v. Bass Pro Outdoor World, LLC, deciding that Bass Pro Outdoor World and Beretta USA/Beretta Italy cannot be sued by a man who ...

Not Your Father’s DOJ: Government Actively Backs Second Amendment in Litigation

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Not Your Father’s DOJ: Government Actively Backs Second Amendment in Litigation

It has, in theory, always been the sworn duty of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to uphold the constitutional rights of American citizens and to affirmatively protect fundamental liberties. 

UPDATE: Legislation Introduced to Protect Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

UPDATE: Legislation Introduced to Protect Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

The Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-IL-12) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), as well as Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), have reintroduced the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act ...

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

News  

Friday, March 21, 2025

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

On March 20, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published an interim final rule entitled, Withdrawing the Attorney General’s Delegation of Authority. That bland title belies the historic nature of the measure, which is aimed at reviving ...

I’d Like a McHurry, Please, with a Side of No Time to Spare

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

I’d Like a McHurry, Please, with a Side of No Time to Spare

Market research indicates that most adults (42%) who eat at McDonald’s and similar fast-food restaurants expect to receive their food within a maximum of five minutes after ordering, while for seven percent of respondents, the “fast” in ...

Rep. Sheri Biggs Introduces Bill to Ease Shotgun Purchases

News  

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Rep. Sheri Biggs Introduces Bill to Ease Shotgun Purchases

On April 28, 2025, Representative Sheri Biggs (R-SC-03) reintroduced the No Frivolous Applications for Short-Barreled Shotguns (NFA SBS) Act (H.R. 3034). This legislation removes short-barreled shotguns from the National Firearms Act so that they will be treated ...

Illinois Appellate Court Upholds FOID Act in NRA-Backed Challenge

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Illinois Appellate Court Upholds FOID Act in NRA-Backed Challenge

Under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (FOID Act), Illinois requires a license and imposes fees to acquire and possess firearms.

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Votes to Advance Legislation to Protect Veterans Second Amendment Rights

News  

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Votes to Advance Legislation to Protect Veterans Second Amendment Rights

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, led by Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL-12), held a markup for several bills. Among these bills being considered was H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.