A cohort of fifteen Democratic legislators from the state of Washington recently introduced House Bill 2238, an initiative that puts forth an additional tax on the retail sale of ammunition. The law, which sought to decrease gun violence, was referred to the finance committee of the state legislature.
The proposed legislation aims to levie a tax on the sale and use of ammunition. The legislation, which is labeled a “use tax… for the privilege of using ammunition as a consumer,” establishes the definition of ammunition as comprising propelling charges, projectiles with their explosives, and primers specifically engineered for firearms. This includes shotgun shells and cartridges intended for rifles, pistols, and revolvers.
In conjunction with existing federal, state, and local sales and use taxes on products and services, this proposed tax would be imposed. However, sales to state, local, or tribal governments for the purpose of supplying law enforcement agencies would be exempt.
The bill has been met with opposition from the National Rifle Association (NRA), as evidenced by the statement made by Aoibheann Cline, the NRA’s Washington director, who characterizes it as a “blatantly unconstitutional assault designed to penalize law-abiding citizens in Washington.” The NRA intends to oppose the proposed legislation.
Particularly criticizing the bill’s language and approach was state representative Jim Walsh, who referred to its provision as a “privilege of using ammunition.” Walsh emphasized that ownership and use of firearms are rights, not privileges, under both the federal and state constitutions. He emphasized the explicit language of Section 24 of Article 1, the state constitution of Washington, which protects the right to bear arms of every citizen.
As justification for the tax, the bill’s proponents cite the continuous health and safety risk that gun violence poses in the state. The legislation states that in Washington, one person is fatally shot with a firearm every fourteen hours, and that firearms are involved in nearly half of all suicides.
Should this tax be ratified, the proceeds would be designated for the financing of suicide prevention programs and endeavors that seek to mitigate domestic violence associated with firearms. Regarding the proposed legislation, the Washington State Democratic Party has not yet provided a response to requests for comments.