I live in washington state, where it is now law that FFL's must collect sales tax on used guns shipped in from other states. I suppose it was always the law, but it was the purchasers responsibility to calculate and submit sales tax on out of state items purchased online....Now its a requirement for FFL's to do it.
Now, here is where I disagree. I buy primarily used guns online. That gun was already taxed at time of original sale. Now I get taxed a second time? Hmm.....
My FFL HATES the law, she HATES it with a passion. Her take; "I didn't sell this gun, I'm not making any money on it other than transfer fee's...why is it my responsibility to maintain paperwork, and charge tax on a sale I DIDN'T MAKE on profits I DIDN'T EARN? The IRS isn't going to give me any slack, even if I didn't make the sale, if my paperwork gets screwed up."
So there you have it. It will be more incentive for a gunshop to start making out of state sales via online services, rather than accepting out of state transfers, so they aren't burdened by collecting and turning in sales tax, maintaining paperwork on taxes collected from OTHER PEOPLES sales. Why would I take transfers at that point if I were an FFL? Thats a lot of liability, considering I'm not making a lot on each transfer, and I'm doing someone else's bookkeeping for them for free, under penalty of law.
So an interstate sales tax could conceivably work to push LGS's from doing transfers as well.
Tough decision, I know I purchase a lot of goods online, and guns are the only thing I've been taxed on as far as out of state sales. Seems the gun industry should be doing a lot to focus attention on other industries that AREN'T paying their fair share at all, rather than focusing on how to make gunowners comply fully and to the letter even as other industries aren't. I know that's just pointing the finger the other way, but dammit, we as gunowners already face overly onerous licensing, taxation, and shipping policies.
The sales tax isn't a new tax, as stated by the administrators of Gunsamerica. However, the gun industry is about the only industry singled out for special treatment in tax collection of out of state sales tax on used goods
(yes, used cars too. But can't you purchase a used car, and never register it, and not pay sales tax? Don't know if it works like that, where I'm at, all vehicles must be registered to the buyer regardless of condition, within 30 days of sale, something like that)
Edit: taxation purely to "level the playing field" is a disservice to the consumer. LGS's aren't entitled to stay in business. I've seen too many LGS's go out of business because the owner was an ASS. I've also seen LGS's expand their income and grow, due to expanded product lines, quality customer service, and successful marketing.
My state has raised taxes 1 trillion dollars. The state budget is STILL not balanced. Collecting sales tax is not the answer, and handing that money over to the state would only encourage further fiscal irresponsibility.