Not an April fool’s joke, on Monday, April 1, the Colorado House Finance Committee is scheduled to hear HB24-1349, adding another 11% excise tax on the sale of all firearms, firearms, accessories, and ammunition. This type of tax, also known as a “sin” tax is levied on specific goods believed to be harmful to society. And gun control advocates are not shy about blaming sportsmen and gun owners for the state’s gun violence issues.
HB24-1349 levies an 11% excise tax on the gross taxable sales of firearms dealers, firearms manufacturers, and ammunition vendors from the retail sale in the state of any firearm, firearm precursor part, or ammunition and requires the excise tax revenue to be spent for crime victim support services, gun violence prevention, safe and lawful gun use, and enhancement of school safety. If passed, HB24-1349 will be placed on this year’s general election ballot in November.
As we all know, dealers will have no choice but to add the 11% sin tax onto our purchase of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition, forcing law-abiding sportsmen to foot the bill for the violent acts of criminals.
Please use the Take Action button to email the committee members and urge them to vote “no” on HB24-1349. The committee needs to hear the opposition from the sportsmen community, letting them know we are not the problem. And HB24-1349 will do nothing to address the root cause of Colorado’s gun violence: criminals not respecting human life or the laws.
Earlier this week, the House Business Affairs & Labor passed SB24-066.
SB24-066, the credit card purchase tracking bill, is now eligible to be voted on the House floor.
SB24-066 allows credit companies and payment processors to use merchant category codes (MCC) to track credit card purchases of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition.
Please use the Take Action button below to email your state Representative and urge him/her to vote “No” on SB24-066. Criminals are not purchasing their firearms at legitimate retail businesses with a credit card. This means only the law-abiding will suffer from an invasion of privacy due to the criminal activities of others.
Make sure you use both Take Action buttons to ensure the House Finance Committee and your state Representative hear your opposition to the bill before them.
HB24-1353 also passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee earlier. It has been sent to the House Finance Committee. A hearing date has not been scheduled. Keep an eye on your inbox as we will inform you when action will be needed next.
HB24-1353 creates a duplicative state permitting system for federally regulated firearm license holders. It also adds additional conditions and requirements for dealers, random inspections, and severe penalties for violations. Federal Firearm Licensed (FFL) dealers are already required to be licensed by the federal government and are highly regulated.
Don’t forget to share this important alert with your family, friends, fellow sportsmen and gun owners. The survival of our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage in the Centennial State is happening NOW, and it needs every sportsman and gun owner to Take Action.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.