East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Darrell Issa and Richard Hudson introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act. The proposed bill aims to prohibit states from imposing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition as a funding source for gun control initiatives.

Risch expressed concerns over states implementing high excise taxes that might infringe upon the Second Amendment. He stated, "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."

Issa highlighted his discontent with California's recent introduction of a "sin tax" on firearms and ammunition. "The latest attack is California’s imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition," said Issa. He supports the bill as a countermeasure against what he describes as an unjust financial burden on citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights.

Hudson noted the determination of certain politicians to undermine the Second Amendment. He stated, "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."

California's recent implementation of an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition in 2024 has been mentioned, with Colorado set to implement a 6.5% excise tax in April 2025. Other states, including Maryland, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and New Mexico, have proposed similar taxes.

The legislation garners support from several co-sponsors, including U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Cassidy, Kevin Cramer, Steve Daines, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, John Hoeven, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Jim Justice, James Lankford, Pete Ricketts, and Representative Doug LaMalfa.

The bill has gained backing from organizations such as the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and the National Rifle Association (NRA). John Commerford, the Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, emphasized the importance of the bill, noting, "Senator Risch’s bill would prevent these blatant and egregious attacks on the rights of Americans, and the National Rifle Association is proud to support this legislation."