Crapo Backs Risch Bill to Prohibit State Excise Taxes on Firearms

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and U.S. Representative Darrell Issa (R-California) in introducing the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act.  This bill would prohibit states from implementing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition to fund gun control programs.

“Some states are unfairly using tax policy to push an ill-founded, anti-gun agenda on gun owners,” said Crapo.  “Tax laws should not unfairly target law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights.”

“Democrats’ latest attack on the Second Amendment looks like an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives,” said Risch.  “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.”

“For years, extreme state policies and governors, including from my home state, have targeted the fundamental Second Amendment rights of our fellow Americans.  California’s new imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition equates a core constitutional freedom with gambling or drug use.  Enough is enough.  That’s why Senator Risch and I are joining forces to introduce this key legislation and stop any state tax that seeks to raise the price of self-defense out of reach for any American,” said Issa.

As of July 1, 2024, California implemented a new 10-11 percent excise tax on firearms and ammunition to discourage the purchase of firearms and fund gun control programs.  These added fees now double the tax on gun and ammunition purchases.  Colorado, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Washington and New York have proposed similar taxes.

Crapo, Risch and Issa are joined by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-North Carolina) in introducing the legislation.

The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act has received support from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and National Rifle Association (NRA).