Testimony in Opposition to HB-5653

Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee
Public Hearing – February 22, 2032

Chairman Fonfara and Horn, Ranking Members Martin and Cheeseman, and Distinguished Members of the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee, thank you for this opportunity to submit written testimony opposing HB-5653, An Act Establishing an Excise Tax on Ammunition to Provide Funding for Community Gun Violence Intervention Program Grants.

Owning and operating a gun is a fundamental right, for both sports and self-defense purposes. Those who choose to exercise this right should not be penalized or be required to pay for the crimes of people who have chosen to violate the law. For law-abiding citizens to properly operate and practice with a firearm they need ammunition. This bill will unfortunately create a barrier to the safe use of firearms by raising the cost of ammunition and therefore, the ability for some to continue to train and use firearms properly.

Ammunition already has an extra 11% tax on top of the general sales tax. Firearm owners are already paying extra for ammunition, and this bill could push some from participating in it for sport. The lower-income individuals who are already struggling will be those who are most impacted. This bill will only create more barriers for the underprivileged members of our society. Responsible gun owners should be allowed to continue buying ammunition at the current rate.

Thank you for allowing this testimony to be presented. I urge you all to oppose HB-5653, so that people can continue to exercise their constitutional rights without more barriers.