Colorado Projected to Pass Ballot Measure Imposing Gun and Ammo Excise Tax

Last updated on November 6th, 2024 at 09:16 am

Voters in Colorado have passed a ballot measure imposing a new excise tax on firearm and ammunition purchases, The Associated Press has projected.

The ballot measure, known as Proposition KK, would impose a 6.5 percent state tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition.

The ballot question is phrased on the Colorado ballot as:

Shall State Taxes Be Increased by $39,000,000 Annually to Fund Mental Health Services, Including for Military Veterans and At-Risk Youth, School Safety and Gun Violence Prevention, and Support Services for Victims of Domestic Violence and Other Violent Crimes by Authorizing a Tax on Gun Dealers, Gun Manufacturers, and Ammunition Vendors at the Rate of 6.5% of the Net Taxable Sales from the Retail Sale of Any Gun, Gun Precursor Part, or Ammunition, with the State Keeping and Spending All of the New Tax Revenue as a Voter-Approved Revenue Change?

As of the morning of Wednesday Nov. 6, the Associated Press’s election team has called the ballot contest in favor of Proposition KK. With 73 percent of the vote tallied, support for Proposition KK leads by 54.2 percent of the vote, versus 45.8 percent against.

The ballot measure needed a vote of over 50 percent to pass.

HB24-1349, the Colorado state bill putting Proposition KK on the ballot passed the state legislature with only Democratic support. Republicans and some Democrat state legislators voted against the bill putting Proposition KK on the ballot.

The ballot measure saw support from gun control advocacy groups like Everytown and Moms Demand Action.

“Gun violence in all its forms continues to devastate Colorado families and communities, and Coloradans have the opportunity to take action by voting in favor of Prop KK on the ballot in November,” Linda Magid, the head of the Colorado Chapter of Moms Demand Action said of the ballot measure. “By requiring a modest tax on firearms and ammunition, Coloradans will be able to guarantee new funding for protecting and healing survivors, and providing services critical in breaking cycles of violence. VOTE YES ON Prop KK and show your commitment to our state’s safety and future.”

Gun rights advocates like the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) urged the electorate to vote against the proposition.

“Firearms and ammunition are already subject to an 11% federal excise tax through the Pittman-Robertson Act, along with a variety of other state and local taxes and fees. California is the only other state to enact similar legislation. This tax should be seen as nothing more than an attack on the Second Amendment and those who exercise their rights under it,” the NRA-ILA said.