California could become first state to implement tax on guns, ammunition

A first-in-the nation excise tax on guns and ammunition passed in both chambers of the California Statehouse on Thursday, Sept. 7. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif.

“The allocation of these funds will lay the necessary groundwork to prevent future devastation and unnecessary death,” Kris Brown, president of the gun control advocacy group Brady, said.

Because it is a tax increase, the bill required approval from two-thirds of legislators in each chamber. It passed despite all Republicans in both chambers either voting against the bill or not voting.

“You can’t tax a constitutional right,” California Rifle & Pistol Association President Chuck Michel said. “This is part of the strategy to price people out of the market.”  

While Newsom hasn’t taken a public position on this specific bill, he has championed gun control reforms in the past. That includes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution limiting Second Amendment rights.

Under the bill, sales made to law enforcement agencies, officers or retired officers would be exempt from the 11% tax. Firearms vendors with less than $5,000 in sales per quarter wouldn’t have to impose the tax.

The state already imposes a $37.19 fee on the sale of each gun. While California would be the first state to impose an excise tax on guns, the federal government already imposes a 10% tax on handguns and an 11% tax on long guns and ammunition.

Proceeds from federal taxes go to conservation and hunter education efforts. Smaller jurisdictions, including the city of Seattle, have their own gun taxes.