This week, the House Ways and Means Committee will be hearing two bills imposing additional excise taxes on firearms and ammunition. House Bill 387 will impose an 11% excise tax in addition to the 6% sales tax on the total sale price of firearms that will be collected through the facilitating FFL on a monthly excise tax form. House Bill 937 singles out firearms and ammunition by punitively taxing firearms, ammunition, and certain firearm accessories at 12% rate as opposed to the current 6% rate. Please contact committee members using the Take Action button below and ask them to OPPOSE this legislation!
Additionally, the House Judiciary Committee will hear House Bill 353 that seeks to repeal the requirement that a person is obligated to seek government permission and a permit before carrying, wearing, or transporting a firearm as well as removes the age requirement, allowing all law-abiding adults to do so. Please contact committee members using the Take Action button below and ask them to SUPPORT this legislation!
House Bills 387 and 937: 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.
House Bill 353: This ensures that citizens have their right to self-defense without red tape, delays, or fees. It does not change who is eligible to obtain a carry permit nor impact the existing permitting system. People who still wish to obtain a permit may do so for out-of-state carry and other lawful purposes.
Please continue to check your inbox and www.nraila.org for updates on your Second Amendment Rights and hunting heritage in Maryland.