Judge upholds Seattle 'gun violence tax' despite challenge from gun rights groups

"Guns now kill more people in the United States than automobiles," Seattle's mayor said.

Well, at least he's consistent. Guns and Automobiles kill people...

Our community will not stand by as so many in our city, particularly young people of color, continue to pay the highest price

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And blaming an inanimate object that cannot function on its own address this issue?
Seattle folks elected this guy. Funny how the young folks seem to be anti-gun, yet play some of the most violent video games ever made - seems a little ironic to me.

raise up to $500,000 a year to help offset the costs of gun violence

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How do they legitimize making money from responsible gun owners because of the already illegal actions of others, and what possible use would that money be in relation to gang on gang shootings? Pay thugs to not shoot each other?

The stupid is strong in those legislators.

I guess those in the city will order their ammo online or go to a shop outside the city limits. Gee, I wonder how the mayor didn't see that coming.

I feel for FFLs in Seattle. This will hurt them. More paperwork for the taxes and less business to boot.

"Guns now kill more people in the United States than automobiles," Seattle's mayor said. "Our community will not stand by as so many in our city, particularly young people of color, continue to pay the highest price for inaction on gun violence at the national and state level

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I don't think automobile deaths include almost 2/3 of the fatalities being suicides as is the case with firearms. And the "young people of color" are primarily involved in gang activity,as the Mayor well knows.

I also don't believe this Seattle tax can eventually hold up under Washington State per-emption laws regarding firearms. At least I hope not. They certainly found an uber liberal judge to rule on this case.

What about taxing the other tools used by violent people? Don't knives cause medical bills when used as weapons? Bludgeons? I'll bet getting a few broken bones from a beating with a tire iron can lead to a costly stay in the hospital and rehabilitation.
Why not study ways to reduce that violence?
And when this research leads to a reduction in gun violence will the tax be reduced?

Maybe they should tax the gang members. The rest of us aren't doing anything wrong. Why should we have to pay for it?

Not to mention that within 5 years more than 50 counties and or cities will copy cat this stupid tax and then a whole liberal state like Kali or Mass will do the same.
Face it guys, we are in trouble.

MagnunJoe said:

Not to mention that within 5 years more than 50 counties and or cities will copy cat this stupid tax and then a whole liberal state like Kali or Mass will do the same.
Face it guys, we are in trouble.

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As long as liberal judges are upholding these laws, yep, I agree!

Maybe my math is wrong but wouldn't the ammo tax add $10-$25 to the cost of a brick of .22?

Maybe my math is wrong but wouldn't the ammo tax add $10-$25 to the cost of a brick of .22?

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A 2 to 5 cent tax would add $2-$5 per 100 round box of .22's that originally cost $7 (cci 100 rounders for example). Certainly not competitive pricing that's for sure!

Somehow I think the tax on the training and duty ammunition alone will blow the Seattle Police Department's budget.

A 2 to 5 cent tax would add $2-$5 per 100 box of .22's that maybe cost $7 to begin with (cci 100 rounders).

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So we're talking about an effective tax rate of about 30%-70%. Are any other consumer goods taxed at anywhere near that?

Mainsail said:

Somehow I think the tax on the training and duty ammunition alone will blow the Seattle Police Department's budget.

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Don't you think the police will be exempt from the laws us commoners are held to?

ShooterMcGavin said:

Don't you think the police will be exempt from the laws us commoners are held to?

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Exactly. That's the angle we need to pursue. SPD guns are the cause of most of the "gun violence" that the city wants to use the tax to pay for, so it's only fitting that SPD should pick up their fair share.

Somehow I suspect that the judge's ruling won't survive appeal... but if this is an elected judge, then there should be a re-call petition started (or whatever the procedure is in that fine state.....

What about states that don't have pre-emption laws, they are screwed, no, if a tax like this comes to their city?

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Possibly. IANAL.

lemaymiami said:

Somehow I suspect that the judge's ruling won't survive appeal... but if this is an elected judge, then there should be a re-call petition started (or whatever the procedure is in that fine state.....

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I agree. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst, this ruling tops the 10 charts , IMO.

I knew from day-one the lawsuit was a waste of time and money. This isn't about outlawing a lawful product, it's about taxing it. How the petitioners figured preemption defies logic.

This is not unlike the effort to counter I-594, come up with I-591 so people could vote for, and against, the same thing. Even the stupid aren't that stupid.

The best thing all 3 gun stores in Seattle could do is move out of the city.

Washington is a preemptive state and this is a clear violation of the state laws. Not to mention how taxes like this are questionable at the federal level as well, regardless of state law. What will stop them from charging $1,000,000 for a gun?

This tax goes against very clearly and concise wording in the WA State Constitution. It will not uphold in a Federal Court. I'm not sure if this case was being held at a district court and will be appealed out of the jurisdiction?

I'm boggled how the city can play judge, jury and executioner. In fact, what stops them from imposing a tax on every firearm you own , maybe $150,000 per gun for the sake of stemming gun violence and protecting children?

This case is not small potatoes as people think and can have very far reaching implications and be a method to complete disarm the entire population. So, I know this is going to be fought hard and appealed to the top and the city of Seattle cannot win it, not with the laws stating clearly, that cities cannot impose additional taxes on firearms and ammunition.

Washington is a preemptive state and a state laws are not just written on paper for entertainment purposes. Also, I don't believe one judge's ruling can be expected to be the final judgment on a law, especially if this is being tried in a local King County court. We all know King County is ruled by ravenous jackals and any reliance on the county government for justice will be futile.


I am reading that a King County Superior Court judge found the city's unconstitutional tax. Wow, not surprised, some liberal/gun hating Seattle judge would rule this way. Once it hits the WA Supreme Court (if it goes that far), the tax will be struck down hard and the city of Seattle, just as with all the other blatantly unconstitutional laws the city has tried imposing in the past. I really think the officials in this city need to be thrown onto the streets for the waste of taxpayer money they are incurring in their "war against guns".

Here's a little history lesson about Seattle and its gun bans
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Seattle-gun-ban-is-illegal-Appeals-Court-rules-2245312.php

Don't hold your breath on this getting overturned on appeal. The Supreme Court ruled that Obamacare is a tax and thus legal. They are not banning ammunition just taxing it.