Colorado voters made a significant decision this week by approving Proposition KK, a new 6.5% excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and gun-related accessories.
This measure, which passed with 54.2% of the vote, makes Colorado the second state in the nation, after California, to impose a state-specific tax on gun purchases. The revenue, expected to reach around $39 million annually, will fund mental health programs, support services for crime victims, and other social initiatives.
Proponents argue the tax addresses the rising demand for crime victim support services. Colorado House Majority Leader Monica Duran, a primary advocate of the measure, highlighted how these funds could bridge gaps left by declining federal support for victim services.
She cited her personal experience with these services as a reason for her commitment, stating that this is about “supporting services that help those in crisis.”
Gun rights advocates, however, view Proposition KK as an unconstitutional infringement on the Second Amendment.
Critics argue that law-abiding gun owners shouldn’t shoulder the financial burden for broader societal issues, particularly when they already pay substantial federal excise taxes on firearms and ammunition. Tim Brough, a firearms store owner, pointed out the selective nature of the tax, questioning why gun owners should bear costs for services that benefit the entire state. He predicts that the tax will drive business out of Colorado, as neighboring states without similar taxes offer a cost-effective alternative for gun buyers.
The measure exempts law enforcement, active-duty military, and private individual gun sales. Businesses with under $20,000 in annual gun-related sales also won’t have to pay the tax, though most sellers are expected to pass the additional costs on to consumers.
Following California’s example, gun rights organizations are expected to challenge Colorado’s tax in court. Under the Supreme Court’s recent Bruen ruling, any law that burdens the right to bear arms could face constitutional scrutiny, raising questions about whether this tax could ultimately hold up in court.
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Why is “unconstitutional” in quotes? You don’t need to be a scholar to realize a tax is an infringement.
Do you realize Get Out Nicky that you have posted at least 22 times since 8:21 PST this morning. With your lack of intellect, if I were you, I would slow down because your brain cannot keep up with your typing.
Arrogant Fool!
He must not have a job or he is being paid to comment here.
I cannot think of any sane person that would pay him to comment on here. If there is that person, he/she should be in an asylum.
Agreed. I don’t think he has the intellect to work at the ATF. I think he is a wannabe Dildo for Walz.
Yeah I think that they hire only the dumbest too. As far as the new department to investigate gun violence? That was something that was to spend a lot of money to protect us all from ourselves and to be a reason to ban so-called assault weapons. forever. What an effin’ JOKE
Paid? No. I have an awkward schedule now, so when I’m on the computer a couple times a day, and see I have a new email, I go look and reply to someone’s comment.
In this case, unusual as it is – @frogdog is right. That tax is unconstitutional – whether courts recognize that fact or not.
If you are referring to Nicky Gout as Frogdog than I do find him right about that, Aren’t all taxes not approved by the legislature unconstitutional? And if they are approved by the legislature probably most all of them are unconstitutional, and repugnant to the voters.
So are you saying I should be canceled?
Also, news reports said the ban on fur products was voted down in Colorado. The animal rights groups pushed this crazy bill. It was so poorly written, that several articles said I t would ban the sale of fur coats, fly fishing lures, cowboy hats made with beaver, and could have banned leather shoes, cowboy boots, leather jackes, and saddles! Any product that used animal skins. See uniformed sheeple don’t read the total proposal. The far leftist animal worshipping cults don’t want you to eat any meat products. They want you to eat ” synthetic food” made from oil !… Read more »
CO has become the CA of the Rockies. Fact, not hyperbole.
It was literally a red wave nationwide but not CA/WA/OR or CO/NM. These idiots never learn.
Poll taxes were deemed illegal in 1964 with the 24th Amendment of the Constitution to practice a right. Taxes on guns and ammo is a poll tax. #WestVirginia ended all taxes on firearms and ammunition sighting that very thing in 2021.
Bad ideas start on the coasts and spread like herpes in a gay bath house. Be very wary of any idea coming in to your state sponsored by outside groups and billionaires. Here in Arizona we just defeated rank choice voting (RVC) and jungle primary proposition that would have californicated our elections. Be very aware. What the left cannot get done in your legislature they will try by proposition. These are all posed as ‘popularly supported common sense solutions’ and are cast in nebulous language. When in doubt vote no on propositions. So what if Colorado passed a tax on… Read more »
The far leftist political groups hire a psychiatrist to word the proposal so it sounds good to uninformed voters. Saves lives, gun safety, children and babies, then the sheeple vote for the bill. Of course, once the money starts flowing in, a committee will be formed. They will decide how to waste – spend the millions. But first, they will need a new office building, then golf club membership, a vacation on cruise ship! Then one of the committee members will have a cousin who is in the construction business to give the contract to, build a mental health institution.… Read more »
Is the the excise tax on top of a sales tax or business tax? Are other sporting goods, other products such as boats or washing machines subject to the excise tax… i.e., is the tax discriminatory? Would visitors to Colorado be exempt from the excise tax? Is the excise tax levied on the business selling the firearms and/or ammunition resulting in a ‘pass through’ of the full tax (plus a sales tax added onto the excise tax surcharge)? Will the excise tax also be applied to the costs of training, obtaining accessories such as holsters, additional magazines, secure storage of… Read more »
Read https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/460/575
IMOA, buy your ammo and firearms now before the tax goes into effect. Go out of state to get ammo.
No shit, Einstein.
Could be. Normal people are not as stupid and he. So maybe it is a role that he is playing.