'Excessive' state taxes on guns, ammunition sales are target of new GOP crackdown effort

Fox News - Mar 27th, 2025
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California's new legislation imposing an 11% excise tax on guns and ammunition has sparked opposition from Republican lawmakers, who argue it infringes on Second Amendment rights. The tax, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023, is intended to fund gun relinquishment programs and other control initiatives. In response, Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Darrell Issa introduced the Freedom of Unfair Gun Taxes Act to prevent states from adopting similar measures, labeling them as unconstitutional financial burdens on gun owners. The bill has garnered support from several Republican senators and representatives who view the tax as an attack on lawful gun ownership.

The California measure, championed by Democrat Jesse Gabriel, aims to raise $160 million annually for violence prevention and school safety programs. It also supports various initiatives targeting gun-related crimes. Despite these intentions, the excise tax has drawn criticism for adding to the existing federal tax on gun sales, which already supports wildlife conservation. Other states like Colorado are considering similar taxes, reflecting a broader trend in gun legislation across the U.S. The outcome of this legislative battle could have significant implications for gun rights and state taxation powers nationwide.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the legislative measures concerning gun and ammunition excise taxes in California, presenting a largely accurate account of the facts. It effectively highlights the perspectives of Republican lawmakers opposing the tax while also including statements from a Democratic supporter. However, the story could benefit from greater balance by incorporating more viewpoints and providing additional context for the sources quoted. The article is timely and addresses a topic of significant public interest, with the potential to influence public opinion and drive policy discussions. While the language and structure are clear and accessible, the story could improve readability by offering more context for technical terms and including visual elements. Overall, the article successfully engages readers by covering a controversial and relevant issue, though it could further enhance engagement through interactive features and a broader range of sources.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents a largely accurate account of the legislative measures concerning gun and ammunition excise taxes in California. It correctly states that California has implemented an 11% excise tax on guns and ammunition, which is verified by multiple sources. The article accurately describes the purpose of the tax, which is to fund gun relinquishment programs and other gun control initiatives. However, there are areas where the story could benefit from additional verification, such as the exact percentage of the excise tax in Colorado and the status of similar legislative measures in Maryland, New York, and Massachusetts. While the story aligns well with the facts, it would benefit from more precise details on these aspects to enhance its accuracy.

7
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of Republican lawmakers opposing the excise tax, highlighting their concerns about Second Amendment rights and potential financial burdens on gun owners. While it includes statements from Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat who supports the tax, the overall tone leans towards the opposition's viewpoint. The story could achieve better balance by providing more context or quotes from supporters of the legislation, explaining the rationale and expected benefits of the tax. This would offer a more comprehensive view of the issue, addressing both sides of the debate more equitably.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the key points of the story. The language is straightforward, making the complex topic of gun legislation accessible to a general audience. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of terms like 'excise tax' and 'Second Amendment rights' for readers who may not be familiar with these concepts. Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone and presents information in an organized manner.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on statements from political figures such as Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Darrell Issa, as well as Jesse Gabriel. While these are credible sources for their respective positions, the story lacks a broader range of voices, such as legal experts or independent analysts, who could provide additional insights into the constitutionality and potential impacts of the tax. The reliance on political figures may introduce bias, as these individuals have vested interests in the outcome of the legislation.

6
Transparency

The article does a reasonable job of explaining the basis for its claims, particularly regarding the legislative actions and the intended use of the tax revenue. However, it lacks transparency in terms of methodology or the potential biases of the sources quoted. There is no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest that the quoted lawmakers might have, which could impact the reader's understanding of the motivations behind their statements. Providing more context about the sources' backgrounds and any affiliations would enhance the transparency of the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/california-gun-and-ammo-tax
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/excessive-state-taxes-against-guns-ammunition-sales-target-new-gop-crackdown-effort
  3. https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/politics/2024/07/05/california-becomes-first-state-to-place-a-tax-on-guns-and-ammo-
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/connecticut-dem-introduces-50-percent-tax-on-ammunition-calling-it-public-health-measure
  5. https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/l947.pdf