Sen. Tom Cotton and other Senate Republicans have introduced the Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises (RIFLE) Act, which aims to abolish transfer taxes on firearms governed by the National Firearms Act (NFA). The bill seeks to remove a burdensome tax that has been imposed on short-barreled shotguns, rifles, and fully automatic firearms since 1934. The tax, which has remained at $200 since then, has been compared to poll taxes by some, as it is seen as an undue financial burden on law-abiding gun owners.
The RIFLE Act specifically targets Section 5811 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which would eliminate the transfer tax on firearms regulated by the NFA. The legislation does not affect the current checks and registration processes for firearm ownership, but rather aims to relieve law-abiding gun owners of the federal financial burden associated with purchasing certain firearms. Supporters of the bill argue that the taxes on firearms are unconstitutional and that removing them would uphold the Second Amendment rights of Americans.
Attorney Oliver Krawczyk, who specializes in Second Amendment law, views the RIFLE Act as a positive step towards upholding constitutional rights. Krawczyk believes that the current taxing system for firearms is unjust and undermines the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. He argues that possession of short-barreled rifles or shotguns should not be considered a felony and questions the basis of the NFA itself.
The legislation has gained additional support from other senators, including Marsha Blackburn, John Cornyn, and Markwayne Mullin, as well as from House representatives like Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, John Barrasso, and Ashley Hinson. Hinson expressed concerns about the Biden administration’s proposals targeting law-abiding gun owners and emphasized the importance of protecting Americans’ rights to keep and bear arms. Cotton also criticized the current firearm transfer taxes as unnecessary and unjust, stating that the National Firearms Act of 1934 needs to be amended to remove financial barriers hindering gun ownership.
Overall, the RIFLE Act aims to eliminate transfer taxes on NFA-regulated firearms in order to uphold the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. Supporters of the bill argue that the current tax system on firearms is unconstitutional and burdensome, and the proposed legislation seeks to rectify this issue. By repealing the transfer tax, the RIFLE Act aims to remove financial barriers that prevent individuals from exercising their constitutional right to bear arms.
