By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois lawmaker is proposing an additional 10 percent sales tax on what she calls “assault weapons” but an advocate says her novel definition of the term would mean nearly all firearms would be hit with the tax.
A firearm sale in Illinois already includes federal taxes, state sales taxes, and local taxes. Chicago’s assesses a $25 per gun fee that’s long-faced a legal challenge.
State Sen. Ann Gillespie’s Senate Bill 2468 would impose a 10 percent retail sales tax on what she calls “assault weapons” and their magazines, which she refers to as a “large capacity ammunition feeding device” that would hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
Her definition of a qualifying gun is anything that would accept one of those magazines, something Todd Vandermyde with the Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois says would encompass the broad majority of guns sold.
“Every modern handgun that’s not a revolver or a Derringer comes into play,” he said, adding that the tax would nearly immediately face a court challenge upon passage.
Vandermyde added that the tax could easily be circumvented by purchasing a firearm from a website based in another state and transferring it to a local dealer.
Forty-four states ban local taxes on firearms or ammunition.
A study by the left-leaning Tax Policy Center found that high taxes on licensed gun dealers encourages people to purchase them from private buyers, which wouldn’t have to pay this tax.
State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, filed legislation last year that would have imposed a 3.75 percent surcharge on firearms and components.
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