Thread: Too high taxes on ammo -- 2nd Amendment violation?

The political climate isn't there for banning guns. Americans of most political persuasions support responsible gun ownership. However, it might be possible for a backdoor ban. If they taxed the crap out ammunition, making it extremely expensive, that would effectively make gun ownership a rich person's privilege. I personally think that would violate the 2nd Amendment. What do you think?

It was talked about years ago, we raised holy hell and they dropped the idea for the time being.


Old news.

Originally Posted by Luna Tick

The political climate isn't there for banning guns. Americans of most political persuasions support responsible gun ownership. However, it might be possible for a backdoor ban. If they taxed the crap out ammunition, making it extremely expensive, that would effectively make gun ownership a rich person's privilege. I personally think that would violate the 2nd Amendment. What do you think?

it would be good grounds to terminate the job of whomever implemented such a tax

I'm not a constitutional scholar, but I'd say "yes". Imposing exhorbitant special taxes on ammunition is clearly a backdoor attempt at gun control. "Have all the guns you want, but you can't afford to shoot them, bwahahahaha" kind of thing.

Taxing an item at extreme rates is functionally no different from banning it and should be treated as such.

Originally Posted by Luna Tick

The political climate isn't there for banning guns. Americans of most political persuasions support responsible gun ownership. However, it might be possible for a backdoor ban. If they taxed the crap out ammunition, making it extremely expensive, that would effectively make gun ownership a rich person's privilege. I personally think that would violate the 2nd Amendment. What do you think?

See also the efforts to ban or restrict “junk guns” and “Saturday-night specials”. Same idea.

Originally Posted by Luna Tick

The political climate isn't there for banning guns. Americans of most political persuasions support responsible gun ownership. However, it might be possible for a backdoor ban. If they taxed the crap out ammunition, making it extremely expensive, that would effectively make gun ownership a rich person's privilege. I personally think that would violate the 2nd Amendment. What do you think?

Yes, making it too arduous to exercise one's constitutional rights is essentially a restriction on those rights.

Originally Posted by Kandahar

Yes, making it too arduous to exercise one's constitutional rights is essentially a restriction on those rights.

which is why the FDR administration levied a 200 dollar tax on machine guns in 1934. goes what 200 dollars meant back then

Originally Posted by Goshin

It was talked about years ago, we raised holy hell and they dropped the idea for the time being.


Old news.

You're a southerner?

Then I'm guessing you know this issue like the back of your red hand.

Originally Posted by Luna Tick

The political climate isn't there for banning guns. Americans of most political persuasions support responsible gun ownership. However, it might be possible for a backdoor ban. If they taxed the crap out ammunition, making it extremely expensive, that would effectively make gun ownership a rich person's privilege. I personally think that would violate the 2nd Amendment. What do you think?

Sort of like what they are doing with cigarettes.