Bills to Tax Ammo, Register Guns Pass Illinois House Committee

This is really nothing new. Just a reminder there are still people skiddish about the idea of allowing citizens to have their own firearms. 

Handguns would have to be registered and a new tax would be imposed on ammunition sales under bills approved Wednesday by the Illinois House Executive Committee.

With Democrats voting “yes” and Republicans “no,” the committee approved House Bill 5831, which requires handgun owners to register their weapons with the state. The bill is an initiative of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanual.

The Executive Committee frequently approves gun bills that are later defeated in the full House.

“Handgun registration laws provide the cornerstone of responsible gun policy,” said Rep. Will Davis, D-Hazel Crest, the bill’s sponsor. “It provides law enforcement with essential information about crime guns, reduces illegal firearms transfers and creates a fair system of accountability for gun owners.”

More details about the bill:

Illinois gun owners must obtain Firearm Owner’s Identification Cards, but are not required to report the number and types of weapons they own. Under Davis’ bill, gun owners would have to report the handguns they own, where they were bought and other information.

The bill carries a $65 registration fee for each gun. Davis said that might be changed to $20.
...
Republicans also opposed House Bill 5167, which would place a 2 percent surtax on ammunition sales in the Illinois. Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said the tax would raise $800,000 to $1.2 million, which would go to hospitals that treat gunshot victims. Cassidy said the tax would amount to one penny a bullet.

[Todd Vandermyde of the NRA] said a tax on ammunition sales is the same as taxing the right to vote.

Is it about the revenue? Or is it about not allowing citizens to own guns? In that SJ-R article you will see both sides offer their arguments for and against.

BTW, I would have no problem if the city decided in the near future to allow gun shops. Even though citizens can now own guns at home, they still can't buy a gun within the city limits. If this bill that would be considered in the state house could be about the revenue then so could allowing gun stores into the city. That could be even revenue!

Via Newsalert!