Last week, Colorado Governor Polis signed HB24-1349, the sin tax bill, into law. This action allows language that levies a 6.5%, excise tax on the gross taxable sales of any firearm, firearm precursor part, or ammunition and requires the revenue to be spent for crime victim support services, gun violence prevention, safe and lawful gun use, and enhancement of school safety to be placed on the 2024 November general election ballot.

Firearm and ammunition dealers, manufacturers, and vendors will have no choice but to add the 6.5% sin tax onto our purchase of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition, forcing law-abiding sportsmen to foot the bill for the violent acts of criminals.

The language on the ballot reads as follows:

“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?”

The Governor also signed HB24-1353 into law, creating a duplicative state permitting system for federally regulated firearm license holders. This bill also adds additional conditions and requirements for dealers, random inspections, and severe penalties for violations. Federal Firearm Licensed (FFL) dealers are already required to be licensed by the federal government and are highly regulated. Just like the sin tax, this additional cost to firearm dealers only gets passed down to sportsmen and gun owners, who are ultimately paying the cost of those additional fees required by the government.

Don’t forget to share this important alert with your family, friends, fellow sportsmen, and gun owners.  The Centennial State needs all its sportsmen and gun owners to work together to ensure the survival of our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage.

About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance and its supporting Foundation protect and defend America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. The organization accomplishes this mission through several distinct programs, including public education, advocacy, litigation and research. Stay connected to the Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.