Staff Reports
Gun rights advocacy groups have decided to take California to court over a new law that imposes an 11 percent tax on firearm and ammunition sales. This law, known as California Assembly Bill 28, passed last year with the stated goal of using the additional tax revenue to fund various programs aimed at reducing gun violence in the state.
The Firearms Policy Coalition, along with other prominent pro-gun organizations like the NRA, the California Rifle & Pistol Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation, are leading the charge against this new tax. They argue that this tax specifically targeting gun-related sales is a direct violation of constitutional rights, citing previous Supreme Court rulings that have struck down similar attempts to single out specific rights for taxation.
Randy Kozuch of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action didn’t mince words, calling the tax a “blatant and egregious attack on the rights of Californians” and a clear attempt to undermine the Second Amendment. The plaintiffs fear that allowing this tax to remain in place could set a dangerous precedent, potentially paving the way for even higher taxes on other constitutional rights down the line.
On the other side of the debate, supporters of the tax argue that it is a necessary step to fund vital government programs aimed at curbing gun violence. They believe that the modest investment generated from this tax will ultimately save lives by supporting proven gun violence prevention initiatives. However, opponents of the tax, including the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, argue that the financial burden imposed by the tax will make it harder for law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Gun rights groups sue California for new 11% tax on firearms and ammo sales, arguing violation of Constitution. https://t.co/Y7ldTrwCfw
— The America One News (@am1_news) July 9, 2024
Two licensed gun owners, Danielle Jaymes and Joshua Gerken, are also named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. They have both expressed concerns about the increased cost of purchasing firearms and ammunition due to the new tax. Jaymes had to postpone buying a specific handgun she had her eye on, while Gerken, an NRA member and firearms instructor, worries that he may have to cut back on his ammunition purchases.
The lawsuit, filed just as the law went into effect, is part of a broader legal battle over gun rights and taxation in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signing of multiple anti-gun bills, including this controversial tax law, has reignited the ongoing debate over the balance between gun control measures and constitutional rights in the state.
