New York legislators are attempting to make sportsmen, target shooters and those who keep a firearm for self-defense pay for the violent actions of criminals. New York Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn) recently introduced Assembly Bill 10513, which imposes a tax on all ammunition. The new tax on gun owners would be allocated to the Gun Violence Impact Fund, which would pay individuals or their immediate family members for injuries sustained from a firearm. The legislation has been referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

AB 10513 would levy a .02-cent-per-round tax on .22 caliber ammunition and .05-cent-per-round for all other rifle, handgun or shotgun ammunition. This translates to an increase of $12.50 on a flat of shotgun shells, a $1 increase on a box of 20 rounds of rifle ammunition, and a $2 increase on a brick of 100 rounds of .22. The tax increases would be on top of the inflated prices resulting from both the historic ammunition shortage and the current inflationary economy, further raising the costs of hunting, recreational shooting, training and self-defense.

“Even more troubling than higher prices is the fact that Assembly Bill 10513 holds law-abiding sportsmen, target shooters and gun owners responsible to those victimized by the criminal misuse of firearms,” said Dillon Barto, manager of state services for the Sportsmen’s Alliance.  “Violent crime is a societal problem with many causes that should be borne by everyone instead of singling out innocent firearms owners.”

Sportsmen must contact their Assemblymen and the members of the Assembly Ways and Means Committees to voice their opposition to this extreme legislation. Emails should be sent to:

Chairwoman Helene E. Weinstein: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Helene-E-Weinstein/contact/

Assembly Member Jake Ashby: ashbyj@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member Jeffrion L. Aubry: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Jeffrion-L-Aubry/contact

Assembly Member Michael Benedetto: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Michael-Benedetto/contact

Assembly Member Ken Blankenbush: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Ken-Blankenbush/contact

Assembly Member Karl A. Brabenec: brabeneck@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member Edward C. Braunstein: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Edward-C-Braunstein/contact

Assembly Member Harry B. Bronson: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Harry-B-Bronson/contact

Assembly Member Kevin M. Byrne: ByrneK@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member Kevin A. Cahill: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Kevin-A-Cahill/contact/

Assembly Member William Colton: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/William-Colton/contact/

Assembly Member Vivian E. Cook: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Vivian-E-Cook/contact

Assembly Member Michael Cusick: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Michael-Cusick/contact/

Assembly Member Erik M. Dilan: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Erik-M-Dilan/contact

Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Jeffrey-Dinowitz/contact/

Assembly Member Michael J. Fitzpatrick: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Michael-J-Fitzpatrick/contact/

Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Deborah-J-Glick/contact/

Assembly Member Stephen Hawley: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Stephen-Hawley/contact/

Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman: hyndmana@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member Latoya Joyner: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Latoya-Joyner/contact

Assembly Member William B. Magnarelli: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/William-B-Magnarelli/contact/

Assembly Member John T. McDonald: McDonaldJ@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member Michael Montesano: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Michael-Montesano/contact/

Assembly Member Catherine Nolan: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Catherine-Nolan/contact/

Assembly Member Michael J. Norris: norrism@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member Philip A. Palmesano: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Philip-A-Palmesano/contact

Assembly Member J. Garry Pretlow: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/J-Gary-Pretlow/contact/

Assembly Member Edward P. Ra: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Edward-P-Ra/contact

Assembly Member Phil Ramos: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Phil-Ramos/contact/

Assembly Member Nily Rozic: RozicN@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright: SeawrightR@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member Latrice Walker: WalkerL@nyassembly.gov

Assembly Member David I. Weprin: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/David-I-Weprin/contact/

Assembly Member Kenneth Zebrowski: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Kenneth-Zebrowski/contact/

About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research.  Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.