With more and more states attempting to place “sin taxes” on the purchase of firearms and ammunition to fund other unconstitutional gun control initiatives, a U.S. Senator and a U.S. Representative have teamed up in an attempt to put an end to the travesty.

On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, introduced the “Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act,” a measure that would prohibit states from implementing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition to fund gun control programs.

“For years, extreme state policies and governors, including from my home state, have targeted the fundamental Second Amendment rights of our fellow Americans,” Issa said.  “California’s new imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition equates a core constitutional freedom with gambling or drug use. Enough is enough. That’s why Sen. Risch and I are joining forces to introduce this key legislation and stop any state tax that seeks to raise the price of self-defense out of reach for any American.”

California’s new 11% percent excise tax on guns and ammo just went into effect on July 1. The additional tax effectively doubled the tax paid on gun and ammunition purchases in the state, putting the cost of lawful self-defense out of the reach of some citizens.

A number of other states, including Colorado, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts and Washington have proposed similar taxes.

“Democrats’ latest attack on the Second Amendment looks like an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives,” Sen. Risch said. “The ‘Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act’ ensures states do not place a significant financial burden on law-abiding gun owners to advance their anti-Second Amendment agenda.” 

Risch and Issa were joined in introducing the legislation by Republican U.S. Senators Mike Crapo of Idaho, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Steve Daines of Montana, Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, and Republican Rep. Richard Hudson of North.

Announcement of the measure drew a positive response from several pro-freedom organizations that are actively involved in the battle to save the Second Amendment.

“States like California and others want to levy excise taxes on firearms and ammunition with the clear intent to punish law-abiding gun owners and dismantle the Second Amendment,” said Randy Kozuch, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “Senator Risch’s bill would prevent these blatant and egregious attacks on the rights of Americans and the National Rifle Association is proud to support this legislation.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearms industry trade association, also voiced support for the newly filed legislation.

“State efforts to levy excise taxes on firearms and ammunition at the point of sale are placing significant financial barriers to the lawful exercise of Constitutionally-protected rights,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “More cravenly, these taxes are being used to fund special-interest efforts to further infringe on those rights. These excise taxes don’t reduce criminal misuse of firearms. The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics own studies show 90 percent of felons convicted of using a firearm in their crimes illegally obtained those firearms.”