U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson representing North Carolina's 9th Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson representing North Carolina's 9th Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
On August 1, 2024, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), and Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act. The legislation aims to prohibit states from implementing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition intended to fund gun control programs.
“The Biden Administration and the Democrats will stop at nothing to try and target the Second Amendment. This unconstitutional tax is an attempt to prevent you from exercising your right to keep and bear arms, and our bill will put a stop to it,” said Rep. Hudson.
“For years, extreme state policies and governors, including currently from my home state, have targeted our fundamental Second Amendment rights. The latest attack is California’s imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition, which equates a core constitutional freedom with gambling or drug use. Enough is enough. That’s why Sen. Risch and I are joining forces to stop any state tax that seeks to raise the price of self-defense out of reach for any American,” said Rep. Issa.
“Democrats’ latest attack on the Second Amendment looks like an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives. 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," said Sen. Risch.
Joining Rep. Hudson, Rep. Issa, and Sen. Risch in introducing the legislation are Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Deb Fischer (R-NE).
As of July 1, 2024, California implemented a new 10-11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition aimed at discouraging firearm purchases while funding gun control programs. These additional fees effectively double the tax on gun and ammunition purchases in the state. Colorado, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and New York have proposed similar taxes.
The bill has garnered support from several organizations including the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), National Rifle Association (NRA), Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition (FRAC), and Police Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).
Read the full text of the bill here.
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