Adrian -- you are correct... it's handguns. That's what I get for being a lazy typist. Thanks.
Re: Ammo bans: Not constitutional. Nor would be separate taxes specifically on ammo or components, even if it is the same rate as the sales tax.
SCOTUS ruled that a similar scheme -- a tax on newsprint paper that was the same rate as state sales tax -- violated the 1st Amendment. The justices indicated that a separate tax being equal now could later be changed to a higher rate with the effect taxing newspapers out of existence. Special taxes aimed at activities that are protected rights won't stand. Thus, you could not pass a separate tax to collect taxes for
- Buying a Bible, Torah, Quran, etc.
- Printer's ink used in publishing
- Each visit to a church or taxing the church by headcount.
- Crossing some state or local political boundary.
Re: Ammo bans: Not constitutional. Nor would be separate taxes specifically on ammo or components, even if it is the same rate as the sales tax.
SCOTUS ruled that a similar scheme -- a tax on newsprint paper that was the same rate as state sales tax -- violated the 1st Amendment. The justices indicated that a separate tax being equal now could later be changed to a higher rate with the effect taxing newspapers out of existence. Special taxes aimed at activities that are protected rights won't stand. Thus, you could not pass a separate tax to collect taxes for
- Buying a Bible, Torah, Quran, etc.
- Printer's ink used in publishing
- Each visit to a church or taxing the church by headcount.
- Crossing some state or local political boundary.