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Democratic legislators are proposing a 35 percent tax on firearm ammunition, with the generated revenue going to programs they say have been proven to reduce gun violence in urban areas.
Joined by her Democratic colleagues and gun violence prevention advocates, Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, unveiled her proposal during a press conference at the Legislative Office Building on Thursday.
Gilchrest intends to use the revenue from the excise tax to fund on-the-ground operations aimed at connecting with young people before they engage in criminal activity. Any revenue not spent, she said, would be slated for expanding protections at places of worship or other areas focused on limiting firearm-related victims.
Gilchrest said the proposal would cost a few dollars more for a box of 50 bullets, raising about $7 million annually, citing numbers from the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis.
“Guns do cause gun violence, so we are asking for those who purchase ammunition to pay a little bit extra,” she said, adding that the intent of the bill is to exclude law enforcement officers, corrections staff, and military personnel using ammunition for their occupations.
House Majority Leader Matthew Ritter, D-Hartford, compared the excise tax to those already in place, such as those on alcohol and tobacco, which are charged on products sold legally but still pose a risk to society.
Read more:
Democrats propose 35% ammunition tax in Connecticut
Joined by her Democratic colleagues and gun violence prevention advocates, Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, unveiled her proposal during a press conference at the Legislative Office Building on Thursday.
Gilchrest intends to use the revenue from the excise tax to fund on-the-ground operations aimed at connecting with young people before they engage in criminal activity. Any revenue not spent, she said, would be slated for expanding protections at places of worship or other areas focused on limiting firearm-related victims.
Gilchrest said the proposal would cost a few dollars more for a box of 50 bullets, raising about $7 million annually, citing numbers from the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis.
“Guns do cause gun violence, so we are asking for those who purchase ammunition to pay a little bit extra,” she said, adding that the intent of the bill is to exclude law enforcement officers, corrections staff, and military personnel using ammunition for their occupations.
House Majority Leader Matthew Ritter, D-Hartford, compared the excise tax to those already in place, such as those on alcohol and tobacco, which are charged on products sold legally but still pose a risk to society.
Read more:
Democrats propose 35% ammunition tax in Connecticut
