Legislation Introduced to Prevent States from Taxing Guns and Ammunition

Last week, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and U.S. Representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA-48) and Richard Hudson (R-NC-9) reintroduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act (S.1169 and H.R.2442 respectively). This legislation would prohibit states from levying excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and components.

California has already implemented an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition to fund gun control initiatives and to discourage lawful firearm ownership. Colorado has also recently implemented a 6.5% excise tax on firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition. And Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Vermont, and Washington are also considering similar proposals.

“Blue states that implement an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives are exploiting the Second Amendment,” said Risch. “The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act ensures states do not place a significant financial burden on law-abiding gun owners to advance their anti-Second Amendment agenda.”

“For too many years, extreme state policies — including from my home state — have targeted our fundamental Second Amendment rights and the American citizens who exercise them,” said Issa. “The latest attack is California’s imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition. This outrageous and unfair burden on law-abiding citizens is why Sen. Risch, Rep. Hudson, and I are working to stop this and other attempts to penalize our people and put the price of self-defense out of reach of any American.”

“Far-left politicians will stop at nothing to undermine the Second Amendment,” said Hudson. "Their latest scheme is an unconstitutional tax that seeks to price you out of your right to keep and bear arms, and this legislation will put a stop to it."

“There is a growing effort among states to levy excise taxes to discourage firearm ownership. California and Colorado have already implemented a gun tax to fund their gun control efforts and dismantle the Second Amendment,” said John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “This legislation by Senator Risch and Representatives Issa and Hudson would prevent these blatant and egregious attacks on the rights of Americans, and the National Rifle Association is proud to support this legislation.”

NRA-ILA remains committed to fighting this gun control “sin tax” on Capitol Hill, in state houses around the country, and in the courthouse. NRA-ILA will continue to keep you apprised of updates as they develop.