California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new tax on ammo and guns into law Tuesday. In addition to enacting a special 11% state tax on firearms and ammunition, Assembly Bill 28 bans concealed carry in many public places.
"The carnage, it’s too much. We can’t normalize it, we can’t accept it," Newsom said during the signing ceremony in Sacramento. "This is a small price to pay."
When questioned by a reporter why the governor has previously rejected tax increases but supported an additional tax on guns and ammunition, Newsom compared the legislation to a "sin tax," Fox News reports.
"For me this is a little different. This is an excise tax related to gun safety that funds mental health services, funds school safety programs … I see this a little bit differently, in that context. This is not a general income tax, not a corporate tax, this is … from my perspective, more of a sin tax, where there is a cause and effect and justification," he responded.
National Rifle Association (NRA) Western Regional Director Dan Reid responded, "During his press conference today, Newsom likened the excise tax to a 'sin tax,' exposing his prejudice on legal firearm ownership. It is an attempt to penalize citizens for exercising their constitutional rights. The NRA vows to fight these oppressive laws, standing firm with the majority of Americans in opposition to Newsom’s draconian initiatives."
