The Loadout Blog

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By Drew Bryant
June 8th, 2022, theloadoutblog.com

Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia is currently working on a bill that would implement a colossal tax on AR-15s and other semi-automatic firearms. The Democratic Congressman hopes to bring to the bill to the House floor within the coming days. The idea behind the bill by Rep. Beyer is to curb the sales of firearms such as the AR-15, that was used by the Buffalo and Uvalde shooters. The proposed bill would place 1,000% excise tax on any type of AR-15 or other semi-automatic firearm, pushing the price of these firearms beyond the means of most Americans.

In a email to CBS Money Watch discussing the proposed bill Rep. Beyer’s Spokesman Aaron Fritschner elaborated on the Virginia Congressman’s proposal. The legislation does not seek to ban these weapons but to simply put a tax on them, which is a “a power clearly delegated to Congress under Article I of the Constitution,” he states in the email.

The new legislation would be introduced as a revenue measure by the House Democrat. Which means it could be introduced through the reconciliation process, which would require a lower threshold of approval. In the reconciliation process only a simple majority of 50 senators instead of 60 senators is needed to pass the legislation.

The average AR-15 or other semi-automatic firearms range between $500-$2,000. An colossal excise tax of 1,000% would calculate to an additional cost of $5,000 on a $500 firearm. While adding an additional $20,000 on a $2,000 firearm. Making it impossible for the average citizen to own a semi-automatic firearm either if it is an AR-15 or handgun.

“The easiest way to understand the basic concept of the legislation Congressman Beyer is drafting is if you imagine taking the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2021 and changing it so that instead of an outright ban it imposes a 1,000% excise tax on manufacturers, producers and importers of the same items,” Fritschner said.

The bill “would include all of the firearms defined as ‘assault weapons’ using terms similar to those in Congressman Cicilline’s Assault Weapons Ban Act,” Fritschner said.

The proposed bill would make exception for purchases by government entities, such as local, state, and federal enforcement agencies as well as the U.S. military.

As of now the proposed excise tax has not been brought to the House Floor. We will work to keep you updated on any future developments in this matter.

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