Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes
Act would end punishing taxes

A growing number of state politicians are testing a new way to burden the lawful exercise of the Second Amendment by imposing targeted excise taxes on firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition and routing the proceeds to "gun violence prevention" or taxpayer-funded gun control programs.

California has already enacted an additional 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition, administered by the state's tax agency. Colorado has a 6.5% excise tax on firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition that went into effect last year.

This approach is not limited to one region; legislators in five additional states — Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and Washington have introduced similar bills. Framed as "public safety" measures, these state-level schemes are designed to make it more expensive to purchase the tools of lawful self-defense and practice shooting responsibly, particularly for working families and first-time gun owners.

Crafted to stop states from weaponizing tax policy against a constitutionally protected right, the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act, S.1169, draws a clear line; States can regulate within constitutional limits, but they cannot impose punitive, targeted excise taxes designed to burden the free exercise of the right to keep and bear arms. …