New York City, the bastion of gun-hating. Even as numerous laws loosen gun restrictions across the country, it remains a stronghold of anti-Second Amendment fervor, stuck to the bottom of American culture like gum on Manhattan’s East 48th Street. So it’s no surprise that politicians from the city introduced a bill last week in the U.S. House of Representatives that would require an extra $100 tax on every gun, along with “passive identification capability.”
Guns.com reported Oct. 27 of H.R. 3830’s introduction by Brooklyn democrat Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez. Fellow Brooklyn democract Rep. Hakeem S. Jeffries cosponsored the bill. The measure was introduced in the House on Oct. 26 under the fanciful name “Reducing Gun Violence in Our Neighborhoods Act.” That’s as deep as the peace and tranquility goes. It’s own sponsor admits it’s a sin tax aimed at punishing gun buyers through the redistribution of shooting wealth.
“If making guns more expensive means fewer end up in commerce, I’m happy with that result,” Velázquez said in a statement. “However, if guns are going to be sold, then those purchasing and selling them should pay for programs that can reduce the incidence of gun violence in our local communities.”
Brooklyn democrat Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez. (Photo courtesy of Charles Dharapak/AP)
The gun industry’s rebuttal was equally blunt.
“It is an unconstitutional poll tax on the exercise of the Second Amendment,” the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Lawrence G. Keane told Guns.com.
The tax would be levied at the manufacturer and importer level, with the generated funds going to the new Gun Violence Reduction and Mental Health Counseling Trust Fund. Law enforcement firearms would be exempt.
The tracking component would be administered by the Attorney General. The AG would create a “tamper-proof passive identification capability” to allow firearms to be deteced by a remote of fixed device. Selling a gun without one would cost the seller an additional $1,000 fine.
The third requirement: a new national gun database for stolen and lost guns. Owners would have 48 hours to report missing guns before being charged with a $10,000 fine.
The bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where it will hopefully die without further consideration.
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