HB 1545 - Taxing Firearms Sales

[Brick]

Advance notice. Final text not available at this time. Keep those cards and letters (of opposition) coming in!

Reference:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/...type=B&bn=1545

Regular Session 2009-2010
House Bill 1545

Short Title: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for a tax on the sale of firearms; establishing the Violence Reduction Fund; and making an editorial change.
Prime Sponsor: Representative PAYTON
Last Action:

[The Unknown 1087]

Advance notice. Final text not available at this time. Keep those cards and letters (of opposition) coming in!

Reference:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/...type=B&bn=1545

Does it effect people who already own a firearm? or would it just effect you when you buy one?

[Brick]

Sorry Dane, I can only guess based on the information provided. The Bill description says "providing for a tax on the sale of firearms". That's all we have to go on now. Keep an eye out for the full text.

[The Unknown 1087]

Sorry Dane, I can only guess based on the information provided. The Bill description says "providing for a tax on the sale of firearms". That's all we have to go on now. Keep an eye out for the full text.

Yeah, I wish it provided more info. Surely they can't go back to everyone who currently owns a firearm, there isn't a way to know who has what.

[unclesam099]

Doesn't matter if it's retro-active or not... A tax on your RIGHTS is a war against freedom.

[jcabin]

This is stupid and wont pass. Because once again, criminals will buy guns on the street, and wont be effected by the price of guns through lawful sale by an FFL. It will just make our pockets more shallow.

[Brick]

The full text is now available and as I suspected it is not good. Also as I suspected the tax applies to the sale of all guns not just handguns. Surprising in this instance is it was sent to the Finance Committee. I have no idea if the Judiciary Committee will need to weigh in also.

Here's the text, refer to my original post for the reference url.

PRINTER'S NO. 1921
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL No. 1545 Session of 2009

INTRODUCED BY PAYTON, BROWN, JOHNSON, JOSEPHS AND WATERS,
MAY 29, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, MAY 29, 2009
AN ACT

1 Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
2 Consolidated Statutes, providing for a tax on the sale of
3 firearms; establishing the Violence Reduction Fund; and
4 making an editorial change.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Section 6111.2(d) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
8 Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
9 § 6111.2. Firearm sales surcharge.
10
11 (d) Definition.--As used in this section [only], the term
12 "firearm" shall mean any weapon which is designed to or may
13 readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an
14 explosion or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.
15 Section 2. Title 18 is amended by adding sections to read:
16 § 6111.6. Firearms tax.
17 (a) Imposition.--There is imposed on each sale of a firearm
18 subject to tax under Article II of the act of March 4, 1971
19 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, an
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 additional tax of 1% of the purchase price. The tax receipts
2 shall be deposited in the fund under section 6111.7 (relating to
3 Violence Reduction Fund).
4 (b) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "firearm"
5 shall mean any weapon which is designed to or may readily be
6 converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosion
7 or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.
8 § 6111.7. Violence Reduction Fund.
9 (a) Establishment.--The Violence Reduction Fund is
10 established as a separate fund in the State Treasury.
11 (b) Sources.--The following are the sources of the fund:
12 (1) Tax receipts collected under section 6111.6(a)
13 (relating to firearms tax).
14 (2) Appropriations.
15 (3) Return on money in the fund.
16 (c) Use.--The Pennsylvania State Police shall use the fund
17 to assist local police forces with programs to reduce violence.
18 Assistance shall be made pursuant to regulations under section
19 6111.5 (relating to rules and regulations).
20 (d) Continuing appropriation.--The money in the fund shall
21 be continually appropriated into the fund. This appropriation
22 shall not lapse at the end of any fiscal year.
23 Section 3. The addition of 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.6(a) shall
24 apply to sales at retail occurring after June 30, 2009.
25 Section 4. This act shall take effect as follows:
26 (1) The following provisions shall take effect
27 immediately:
28 (i) The addition of 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.6.
29 (ii) Section 3 of this act.
30 (iii) This section.
20090HB1545PN1921
- 2 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 (2) The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60
2 days.
20090HB1545PN1921

- 3 -

Here's the list of legislators on the Finance Committee:

Majority (Room 127 IOB) Minority (Room 45 EW)
Levdansky, David K. , Chairman
Youngblood, Rosita C., Vice Chairman
Mirabito, Rick , Secretary

Briggs, Tim
Fabrizio, Florindo J.
Frankel, Dan
Gibbons, Jaret
Kessler, David R.
Kortz, William C., II
Pallone, John E.
Sainato, Chris
Seip, Tim
Shapiro, Josh
Taylor, Rick
Yudichak, John T.

Minority:
Rohrer, Sam , Chairman
Metcalfe, Daryl D., Vice Chairman
Bear, John C. , Secretary

Cox, Jim
Denlinger, Gordon
Ellis, Brian L.
Harris, C. Adam
Peifer, Michael
Quigley, Thomas J.
Reed, Dave
Scavello, Mario M.

I suggest we start the campaign against this bill by contancting the Finance Committee Members. Note: both Rohrer & Metcalfe have good reputations where gun owner rights are concerned.

[leeam]

16 (c) Use.--The Pennsylvania State Police shall use the fund
17 to assist local police forces with programs to reduce violence.

Isn't the mere fact that you have a gun going to help reduce violence locally? More people buy guns, less $ needed for polilce to reduce violence. Rather than tax guns, maybe these anti violence groups should spend their money subsidizing guns instead of campaigning against our rights?

[tes151]

If this passes there will just be an increase in FTF sales. People will always find a way to counteract stupid laws.

[smithwessn]

If this passes there will just be an increase in FTF sales. People will always find a way to counteract stupid laws.

It would probably apply to private sales/transfers as well, just like auto purchases.