NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, today praised U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) for his introduction of H.R. 2361, legislation intended to prevent states and municipalities from enacting or raising taxes or fees on the purchase of firearms or ammunition.
“Congressman Graves is to be commended for introducing a bill to prevent one of the latest tactics of anti-gun politicians, that is pricing firearms and ammunition out of reach of responsible, law-abiding Americans through new taxes on the state or local level,” said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel, NSSF. “We believe that such taxes are unconstitutional and, in effect, amount to a poll tax on the Second Amendment. We endorse H.R. 2361.”
Cook County, Illinois enacted a $25 tax on new firearms purchases earlier this year and had considered a tax on ammunition, as well. Legislators in several other states, including California, Maryland and New Jersey have introduced similar proposals.
H.R. 2361 is known as the Protecting Honest, Everyday Americans from Senseless and Needless Taxes Act, or PHEASANT Act.
