Congress Moves to End Sin Taxes on 2A Rights

Some lawmakers have finally had enough of states trying to tax the Second Amendment out of existence.

New bills in both the U.S. House and Senate aim to block states from slapping “sin taxes” on firearms and ammunition—fees that gun control politicians are increasingly using to punish law-abiding gun owners.

The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act was introduced by Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) in the House, and by Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in the Senate. If passed, it would prevent states from imposing excise taxes on gun and ammo sales that are used to fund anti-gun programs.

“States that are hostile to the firearm industry and Second Amendment freedoms have abused their ability to levy taxes on the sale of firearms and ammunition as a ‘sin tax.’ Exercising a right – whether it is your First Amendment freedoms, Second Amendment or Fourth or Fifth Amendment freedoms – is not a sin,” said Larry Keane, NSSF Senior VP and General Counsel, in a press release obtained by GunsAmerica.

“This is like the unconstitutional poll taxes that were struck down in 1966,” he added.

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Currently, California adds an 11% excise tax on guns, parts, and ammo. Colorado is set to follow suit with a 6.5% tax starting April 1, 2025. Other states like Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, and Washington are also looking to cash in.

But here’s the kicker—these taxes don’t touch criminals. DOJ data shows 90% of criminals get their firearms illegally. These taxes land squarely on the backs of legal, responsible gun owners.

Gun makers already pay a hefty federal excise tax—10–11%—that goes directly to conservation, public land access, range development, and hunter education via the Pittman-Robertson Act. That system has raised over $29 billion since 1937 and actually supports lawful gun use.

The state-level taxes? They fund gun control. That’s the opposite of what responsible gun ownership is about.

NSSF applauds Reps. Issa and Hudson and Sen. Risch for taking a stand.

“This legislation is about principle,” Keane said. “No American should be taxed for exercising a constitutional right—especially not to fund efforts that try to take that right away.”

As more states look to demonize lawful gun ownership through punitive taxes, this bill could be a critical line in the sand. Because rights shouldn’t come with a price tag.

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