U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has announced his support as a cosponsor for the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act. The proposed legislation would prevent states from imposing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition.
Senator Cornyn stated, “Alongside President Trump, I was proud to champion provisions to reduce the federal suppressor tax to $0 as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. This bill would take it a step further by ensuring blue states can’t usurp Congressional intent and use state taxes to deter law-abiding Americans from exercising their Second Amendment right to purchase firearms and ammunition.”
The bill comes after several states, including California, Colorado, Vermont, and New York, introduced or enacted excise taxes on firearms and ammunition. Earlier in the year, legislators in Virginia announced plans for a bill that would place a $500 tax on firearm suppressors. Supporters of the new federal legislation argue these state-level measures undermine recent changes made by Congress to remove the federal tax on suppressors.
The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act is led by Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and is supported by organizations such as the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and National Rifle Association (NRA).
Senator Cornyn has been successful in past Texas elections. In 2020, he defeated MJ Hegar with 53.5% of the vote. He also won elections in 2014 against David Alameel with 61.6%, in 2008 against Rick Noriega with 54.8%, and in 2002 against Ron Kirk with 55%.
