RI Senate Finance Hearing On 10% Gun & Ammo Tax Please attend Committee Hearing on Tuesday in Providence
On Tuesday Feb. 12, the Senate Committee on Finance will hold a hearing at the Rise of the Senate in the Senate lounge to hear testimony on Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo’s 10 percent tax plan on all firearms and ammunition. The Governor’s budget language, while unclear, is calling for an exorbitant tax on individuals seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights. The language in the budget would implement a 10 percent tax on the sale, use and storage of firearms and ammunition in the state, although how that could be implemented was not specified.
In addition to the Second Amendment implications, this proposal would adversely affect retailers by decreasing sales and placing an additional administrative burden on many small businesses. Here are a few of the other reasons this plan should fail:
New taxes on the purchase of firearms and ammunition are unconstitutional “poll taxes.”
Unlike law-abiding citizens, criminals do not legally purchase guns and will not be affected.
Raising taxes puts the entire state at a competitive disadvantage and hurts legitimate businesses.
NSSF will strongly oppose this plan and needs the help of Ocean State residents. Please attending the hearing to get this gun and ammunition tax language removed from the budget.
