In layman’s terms: In layman’s terms: If you buy ammo in California, you’ll pay an extra 11% starting on Jul 1, 2024.
It’s often said that the way California goes is the way the nation will go, and that seems to be especially true when it comes to anti-gun and anti-Second Amendment measures.
Last year, on September 26, Governor, and petty tyrant, Gavin Newsom signed several anti-gun measures, including AB 28, which doubles the tax on guns and ammunition purchased in California.
This “sin tax” of 11% tax on the sale of guns and ammunition in California is stacked on top of California’s pre-existing 10-11% tax and applies to online sales. California is now the only state with a separate tax on guns and ammunition, which is presumably unconstitutional.
This hit home today, when popular ammunition manufacturer and online retailer LAX Ammunition (sister company to Freedom Ammunition) sent an email with the following message:
NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS:
Effective July 1, 2024, the state of California will levy an additional 11% tax on all firearm and ammunition purchases.This is in addition to existing local and state sales tax and charged at the time of delivery. To avoid this tax, please plan ahead and make your purchases prior to July 1st.
LAX ammo boxes can be seen in almost any range in the country. They provide high quality products that are reasonably priced and often paired with special low-cost or free shipping deals. Put simply, expect to pay an additional 11% for the products you purchase from LAX, or any other California-based manufacturer, simply because the Governor of California hates you exercising your rights.
But as usual, these oversteps are couched in the moot “public safety” argument:
“The data proves they save lives: California’s gun death rate is 43% lower than the rest of the nation. These new laws will make our communities and families safer,” Newsom said.
The new law does nothing more than disarm the law-abiding citizens of California who will no longer be able to afford ammunition (California currently prohibits the importation of ammo from other states). We imagine there is, and will be, quite the black market for ammo in the near future.
Newsom is of course very much aware of the unconstitutional nature of the laws. “The point is pretty damn obvious to anyone who is paying attention. It’s great what we’re doing but it may not be enough,” Newsom told reporters on the day of the bill signing, acknowledging the legal pushback from gun rights groups. “They’re coming after these laws and they’re winning in federal courts.”
The law is likely to be challenged legally shortly after it goes into effect.
