Firearms and Ammo Taxes

[DR1586]

Ok, I want to try and avoid the complaints about the cost of shooting. Yes, prices have gone up the last several years…just like they have on all goods. But the money we all spend does a lot of good for the outdoors and conservation. There is an organization called the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation that is trying to educate people on the good that comes out of the firearms industry. I’d love for everyone on this site to take 5 min and watch this video, share it with your friends, and show how our hobby helps the world.

 

[DRK]

As much as I don't think it is Constitutional to tax a right, the excise tax on firearms & ammunition is one of the only good taxes we have. It is a shame the NFA taxes get squandered in the general fund and not to the outdoors.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

West Virginia has no sales tax on guns and ammo!

 

[DR1586]

West Virginia has no sales tax on guns and ammo!

That’s true Jim, but there is still federal excise tax on it. So you’re helping fund the conservation of America’s wildlife anyway.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

please explain how this tax helps, specifically.

At the end of the video it says something like 46 billion to local state and federal agencies. The same folks that “manage” and “preserve” with ideas like helping wolves thrive, and man you better be able to prove that bear was shot in self defense.

Government, managing, I mean yeah they do manage stuff, but how well is up to the individual maybe.

Why not just say “don’t shoot so many animals, so we maintain the population, or you get fined”? The end.

 

[DR1586]

please explain how this tax helps, specifically.

JD,

The Pittman-Robertson act established that federal excise taxes placed on firearms and ammunition would be earmarked for the purposes of wildlife and habitat conservation. Large portions of state wildlife agency budgets are funded by these funds. So access to hunting land, public ranges, educational programs and much more come from the monies generated by the shooting sports industry. Go check out the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation to learn more. They know the details better than I do.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

JD,

The Pittman-Robertson act established that federal excise taxes placed on firearms and ammunition would be earmarked for the purposes of wildlife and habitat conservation. Large portions of state wildlife agency budgets are funded by these funds. So access to hunting land, public ranges, educational programs and much more come from the monies generated by the shooting sports industry. Go check out the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation to learn more. They know the details better than I do.

Respectfully sir

For me, not a fan of any tax, I don’t need a public range, hunting has been commercialized. Access to hunting lands, if I want to hunt on someone’s land and I have to pay that’s between he and I, don’t need a tax. And I can teach my boys to shoot so I don’t need education programs.

Taxes are bad. Government regulations are bad. Sorry, not seeing the upside.

 

[DR1586]

Respectfully sir

For me, not a fan of any tax, I don’t need a public range, hunting has been commercialized. Access to hunting lands, if I want to hunt on someone’s land and I have to pay that’s between he and I, don’t need a tax. And I can teach my boys to shoot so I don’t need education programs.

Taxes are bad. Government regulations are bad. Sorry, not seeing the upside.

I agree with some of your points. But not everyone has the same opportunity. Some need public ranges and lands to shoot and hunt. Some new shooters didn’t have a dad like you or my father to teach them. So while there are downsides to increased size of the government, the P-R Act is one of the few that has some positive impact on the shooting and hunting populous in our country.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I agree with some of your points. But not everyone has the same opportunity. Some need public ranges and lands to shoot and hunt. Some new shooters didn’t have a dad like you or my father to teach them. So while there are downsides to increased size of the government, the P-R Act is one of the few that has some positive impact on the shooting and hunting populous in our country.

I’d imagine that we agree on the majority of issues.

I just prefer the individualistic approach, always.

 

[DR1586]

I’d imagine that we agree on the majority of issues.

I just prefer the individualistic approach, always.

I can respect that. I also appreciate that while we didn’t agree 100%, we both managed to be civil and discuss our opinions. Wouldn’t it be amazing if more folks could do that these day. Take care.

 

[Jayplace]

Respectfully sir

For me, not a fan of any tax, I don’t need a public range, hunting has been commercialized. Access to hunting lands, if I want to hunt on someone’s land and I have to pay that’s between he and I, don’t need a tax. And I can teach my boys to shoot so I don’t need education programs.

Taxes are bad. Government regulations are bad. Sorry, not seeing the upside.

I'm not a fan of taxes, but without them there would be no roads and next to no help durring disasters. I live in a city and even though I have a water bill, taxes are used to provide drinking water. If it weren't for taxes there would be law or many other services including schools. I don't like taxes, but they provide many services for the masses.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I'm not a fan of taxes, but without them there would be no roads and next to no help durring disasters. I live in a city and even though I have a water bill, taxes are used to provide drinking water. If it weren't for taxes there would be law or many other services including schools. I don't like taxes, but they provide many services for the masses.

Agree. For basic needs. Government has a role for sure. Post office, currency, military, borders, infrastructure etc.

Not taxes on sporting goods

 

[ronsatspokane]

Not sure if the tax collected is spent in a manor that those paying would approve of or not. We'd need to see the records of how every dime was spent. However, a more fundamental question needs to be asked. Does the Constitution grant the federal government the power to collect taxes on sporting goods? The 16th amendment authorizes the power to collect taxes on income derived from a variety of sources but I don't know of anything in the Constitution or the existing amendments that permits the federal government to collected any kind of taxes on goods or services. Am I wrong?

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Not sure if the tax collected is spent in a manor that those paying would approve of or not. We'd need to see the records of how every dime was spent. However, a more fundamental question needs to be asked. Does the Constitution grant the federal government the power to collect taxes on sporting goods? The 16th amendment authorizes the power to collect taxes on income derived from a variety of sources but I don't know of anything in the Constitution or the existing amendments that permits the federal government to collected any kind of taxes on goods or services. Am I wrong?

I like what the founders had in mind for the scope of government. But that’d be unacceptable today. Everyone is conditioned now.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have a big problem when taxes collected are NOT used for the original budget item, especially when a use tax dollar gets dumped into the general fund and ends up in the pocket of an illegal immigrant or for their care. Thank you HaHa Harris for spending more of my tax money and wanting more from my pay check.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I like what the founders had in mind for the scope of government. But that’d be unacceptable today. Everyone is conditioned now.

it's a byproduct of dumbing down the educational system. Most people these days do not know the structure of their own government or understand that they are the boss. They view government as their mommy and daddy not even realizing that they are paying mommy and daddy's salary.

 

[Kalitrazescapee]

I've paid a lot of this tax...and as long as it goes for wildlife programs, firearm safety...I'm ok.
Since schools was brought up...I don't have any kids,and I feel I should have a say in how my stolen funds should be spent...ie vocational,and not on tenure incompetents. I've never been to court over child support so I'm pretty sure I'm in the clear.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I'm not a fan of taxes, but without them there would be no roads and next to no help durring disasters. I live in a city and even though I have a water bill, taxes are used to provide drinking water. If it weren't for taxes there would be law or many other services including schools. I don't like taxes, but they provide many services for the masses.

I completely agree with this. I'm all for taxes and an educated approach about their spending. I just believe that there should be a flat (low) tax rate across the board on everything.