Anti-gunners in the Massachusetts Legislature are set to pass new firearms sales and use taxes this Wednesday at 1pm during the Joint Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee meeting.
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Bill S 1652 would create the “Violence Reduction and Firearm Injury Prevention Trust Fund,” which would gain funding from the implementation of a special surcharge on every retail sale of firearms, ammunition, shotguns, rifles, and even parts at a rate of 4.75%. This comes in addition to the current 6.25% tax, meaning gun-related items would jump to an 11% tax rate in Massachusetts.
This measure comes as another attempt to further stigmatize and alienate everyday gun owners. In practice, implementing S 1652 means giving grants to anti-gun nonprofits and propaganda groups that will pressure local governments to push for stricter gun control without addressing any form of actual crime prevention.
In a later section of the bill, specific wording is used to impose a separate 4.75% tax on the “storage, use or other consumption of ammunition, rifles, shotguns, firearms or parts thereof,” which leaves significant gaps for abuse.
If a gun, part, or even ammo ends up in State of Massachusetts, you owe an extra 4.75%. If you assemble a rifle or reload your own ammo from components, you owe an extra 4.75%. Even if you buy items out of state, you’re expected to report your purchase and pay the additional tax.
STOP S 1652 from further burdening Massachusetts gun owners. Reach out to your State Legislators immediately using the form above and demand that they STOP S 1652 from moving forward.
