Why a bullet tax is stupid – unless you’re a New York cop
YOU can cut down on gun crime in the US by taxing bullets. Well, so say some experts.
The experts note that hefty taxes on tobacco products have funded anti-smoking campaigns and helped to drastically reduce the prevalence of cigarette smoking in the U.S. in the past few decades. Likewise, they say, a “substantial” national tax on all firearms and ammunition “would provide stable revenue to meaningfully target gun violence prevention.”
If bullets get more expensive, you need to start conserving them. And if your rivals have the same problem, then perhaps the citywide basis of competition can ratchet down to a less-deadly dynamic of melee rather than drive-by.
In California:
Assemblyman Roger Dickenson (D-Sacramento) proposed the nickel-a-bullet tax on the sale of ammunition to go for mental health evaluations and intervention in cases where problems are discovered.
“Screening young children for signs of mental illness and addressing any issues early on is the key to a healthier and more productive adult life,” Dickenson said in a statement. “A limited tax on ammunition is a small price to pay for better mental health care for children in our state.”
Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Alameda) has introduced AB 187, which would impose an ammo tax to provide money to a crime prevention fund for areas with high rates of violent crime.
This is dumb idea. The bullet tax would only hurt sports shooters who vire lots of bullets at targets. Would a tax on bullets prevent mass shootings and other gun crimes? No.
Meanwhile, in New York:
A troubling oversight has been found within New York State’s sweeping new gun laws. The ban on having high-capacity magazines, as it’s written, would also include law enforcement officers. Magazines with more than seven rounds will be illegal under the new law when that part takes effect in March. As the statute is currently written, it does not exempt law enforcement officers. Nearly every law enforcement agency in the state carries hand guns that have a 15 round capacity. A spokesman for the governor’s office called Eyewitness News to say, “We are still working out some details of the law and the exemption will be included, currently no police officer is in violation.”
So. You need 15 bullets to protest yourself if you’re copper. But if you’re a citizen you only need 7. Amadou Bailo Diallo’s family will be delighted…
Posted: 30th, January 2013 | In: Reviews Comments (3) | TrackBack | Permalink
