Taxation as Gun Control: A Sneaky Move by Anti-Gunner Lawmakers

On June 22, a gaggle of anti-gunner Democratic lawmakers introduced The Gun Violence Prevention and Safe Communities Act, aiming to establish guaranteed annual funding for gun violence prevention. The proposed legislation involves increasing the federal excise tax on guns and ammunition by 0.5 percent and applying the tax to assault-weapon frames and receivers that are currently exempt.

The additional revenue, estimated at $20 to $36 million, would be directed towards four programs: community-based violence prevention grants, gun violence research, hate crimes prevention and enforcement, and forensic examiner training. The bill is ostensibly intended to address the ongoing gun violence crisis in America and provide funding for prevention efforts and community safety.

Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) issued a statement claiming that gun violence “inflicts epidemic harm on individuals, families, and communities” and called on the federal government to “substantially invest” in preventing gun crimes. He continued:

Not one penny of current federal excise taxes on guns and ammunition goes to gun violence prevention. Further, the federal gun tax has remained the same for over 100 years, and the ammunition tax is the same as it was during World War II. The Gun Violence Prevention and Safe Communities Act is an important part of comprehensive gun violence prevention because it creates guaranteed annual funding to stop gun violence via a small increase of 0.5% in existing excise gun and ammunition taxes. This bill also closes a major loophole in tax law that allows many assault-type weapons to evade taxes altogether. This bill is an important step in ensuring federal investment every year to make our communities safer. We must do more to help Chicago and communities across the nation.

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), who also co-sponsored the bill, referenced the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park and argued that “[t]hese weapons of war should be off our streets altogether” and pointed out that “many assault-style weapons regularly evade taxes entirely.”

This is a bunch of bovine excrement.

These lawmakers are essentially trying to do soft regulation of firearms through taxation. It’s not clear how much more expensive it will be to buy an “assault weapon” if the bill passes, but the notion that this will somehow make Americans safer is about as dumb as trusting Rep. Eric Swalwell alone with a female Chinese spy. There are several issues with this proposed legislation.

To start with, the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution explicitly protects the right of individuals to keep and bear arms. It is a fundamental aspect of liberty, ensuring the ability of citizens to defend themselves, their families, and their property. By introducing taxes specifically targeted at firearms, Congress would effectively be placing a financial burden on the exercise of a constitutional right, thereby diminishing its significance. Such actions set a dangerous precedent, potentially paving the way for further erosion of other constitutionally protected rights.

Using taxation as a form of gun control is a disingenuous attempt to sidestep the clear boundaries established by the Constitution. While proponents may argue that taxes merely act as a regulatory measure, they fail to recognize the inherent difference between regulation and taxation.

Regulation focuses on establishing rules and standards, ensuring responsible ownership and usage. Taxation, on the other hand, aims to generate revenue for government expenditure. Attempting to achieve regulatory goals through taxation undermines the integrity of the legislative process and circumvents public debate on the merits of gun control measures.

Imposing additional taxes on firearms and ammunition disproportionately affects law-abiding citizens who exercise their Second Amendment rights responsibly. Such taxes could create financial barriers that hinder access to self-defense tools for those who may need them most, including vulnerable communities and individuals with limited financial means. As with many other measures designed to make obtaining guns cost-prohibitive, it might lead to a scenario in which only those who are well-off would be able to afford to have firearms.

It is also worth noting that the money these anti-gunners claim they will raise from this legislation won’t do a damn thing to curb gun violence – and they know it. The federal government isn’t going to put a dent in gun crimes just by throwing a few bucks at it. These are local and state matters. This bill is just another ploy designed to make it more difficult for people to obtain firearms – nothing more.

If Democrats truly cared about gun violence, they would look at actual solutions that address the root issues of crime while ensuring that the government functions in a way that protects our rights against those intent on committing violent crimes. Unfortunately, these people are more concerned with targeting regular folks than with going after people who are actually dangerous.