The Seattle City Council has approved legislation that imposes taxes and regulations on gun owners buying ammunition. The city is following a trend across the country in which cities are proposing gun control measures that they feel the federal government has not worked adequately to create.
The ordinance calls for a $25 tax per firearm, $0.02 per .22 caliber cartridge, and $0.05 each on all other rounds to be charged to those making purchases. These taxes would increase the price of a box of ammunition by around $2 at the counter of gun stores in the area, more than enough to send customers elsewhere.
Those who approve the tax see it as a help to limit access to firearms and ammunition. Being called a “Gun Violence Tax” by some, it’s essentially meant to charge money to the gun owner for use of the weapon.
They feel that higher prices will discourage gun ownership, thereby limiting the number of guns available to the lawful citizens as well as criminals.
Those opposed to the tax argue that it only hurts lawful gun owners who are exercising their right to protect themselves with a firearm. They say it mistreats owners of small gun shops who will see their customers go elsewhere to avoid more expensive guns and ammunition.
They point out that wealthier citizens will simply drive out of the city to make their purchases, while those living in the areas most affected by gun violence do not always have that ability. Demonstrating that the tax is only hurting the very populations it’s meant to protect.
Various groups are already mobilizing to challenge the new ordinance in court, saying that previous attempts by the City Council to discourage gun use have been overturned successfully. Expect plenty of litigation and debate until the tax is officially imposed beginning in January.
While the debate continues over the tax, expect more City Councils across the country to follow the trend. Similar actions occurring in Los Angeles have demonstrated a national trend in smaller cities taking gun control issues out of the hands of the federal government.
