Maryland: Excise Tax Bill on Firearms, Ammunition, and Accessories to be Heard Tomorrow

Tomorrow, February 22nd, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on HB0935 which is entitled The Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act. The sponsors of this bill intend to levy an excise tax at a rate of 11% upon all transactions involving firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition. The proceeds on this tax will primarily be put towards the Maryland Trauma Physician Service Fund, The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, and the Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund. As previously reported, SB0784 was heard last week in committee and is the Senate companion bill. 

Firearms and ammunition are already subject to an 11% federal excise tax through Pitman Robertson, along with a variety of other state and local taxes and fees. California is the only other state to enact similar legislation. When the bill passed in California, Gov. Newsom labeled it a "sin" tax and showed the Second Amendment community his true thoughts and intentions towards law abiding gun owners. This tax should be seen as nothing more than an attack on the Second Amendment and those who exercise their rights under it.

Please reach out to your elected leaders, especially those who sit on the House Ways and Means Committee and encourage them to vote against this bill and any additional gun control legislation that comes before them this session. 

Thank you for your support and stayed tuned for updates as session continues.