A proposed 35% excise tax on all ammunition purchases in the state of Connecticut drew criticism from gun owners and Second Amendment supporters on Thursday, who say that the proposed tax singles out legal gun owners and taxes them to pay for programs that all residents should be paying for.
State Rep. Jillian Gilchrist is the author of the proposed tax increase, and she tried to shame anyone who would question why only gun owners are being asked to pay for programs to reduce violent crime across the state.
An emotional scolding from State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest (D- West Harford) when asked whether her proposal to tax gun ammunition by 35% is a punishment on lawful gun owners. “Shame on you, those being punished are the victims of gun violence from Hartford to Newtown,” she said.
Gilchrest said there has never been a comprehensive plan to fund gun violence prevention programs, and her proposal would do just that.