New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is pushing ahead with his plan to radically raise taxes on gun owners in the Garden State.
Originally proposed six months ago before the escalation of the novel coronavirus, Gov. Murphy looked to make the following changes to the state’s tax code, per NJ.com:
- The so-called millionaires’ tax — which would increase from 8.97% to 10.75% on gross income between $1 and $5 million. Murphy’s fellow Democrats who control the state Legislature have blocked that plan twice since the governor took office.
- An increase of $1.65 in taxes on each pack of cigarettes sold in the state.
- An increase of $48 on the fee people must pay to buy a handgun permit in the state and an increase of $95 on the fee for every firearms identification card, among other gun fee hikes.
Because of COVID-19, lawmakers never agreed to the proposal and kicked the can down the road. Now, facing a $5 billion budget shortfall, Murphy is hoping that the Democratically-controlled Legislature will jump on board with these increases as well as others, along with borrowing some $4 billion to make ends meet.
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“Besides setting off an unprecedented public health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic also unleashed an economic crisis that can only be rivaled by two other times in our state’s entire 244-year history – the Great Depression and the Civil War,” said Murphy in a statement obtained by GunsAmerica.
“This budget proposal is not simply about getting New Jersey back to where it used to be, but moving forward to where we need to be by building a new economy that grows our middle class and works for every single family, while asking the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share in taxes,” he continued.
Under the current arrangement, New Jerseyans pay $5 for a firearms identification card and $2 for a pistol permit. In a post on Facebook, the Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners (CNJFO) compared the ginormous hike in fees to that of a Reconstruction-era poll tax.
Based on CNJFO’s math, a citizen’s going to have to come out of pocket almost $250 before he or she can even take possession of a handgun! In 2018, Murphy tried to enact a similar tax scheme but to no avail.
At that time, GunsAmerica reached out to the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) for comment.
“What gun prohibitionists like New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy can’t outright ban they want to tax out of existence,” said Alan Gottlieb, the founder of SAF, in an email to GunsAmerica. “The power to tax can be the power to destroy. Destroying the Second Amendment is his ultimate goal.”
If passed by the Legislature, Murphy’s budget will go into effect starting Oct. 1, 2020, and continue for the ensuing 9-month fiscal year.
The Poll TAx prevented the takeover of jurisdictions by the poor and ignorant who would- if given the authority- raise taxes and empower the landless and a mob of unproductive bottom feeders. Oh wait, that is one of the major problems in the US as Bolshevik Dems and anti-white blacks have taken over the major cities!
This is all attributed to the 1968 Gun control act. This just happens to be a tax also. All unconstitutional. This should be taken to the Supreme Court just like Obama care and repealed. This is the progressive left aka communists driving us towards communism inch by inch. These dirtbag politicians, which we pay, break the law and then we have to sue them” which we pay” to stop them. We are idiots.
When these “anti-gun” politicians, actors, etc. give up their firearms and armed personal security…then and only then would I consider giving up my weapons…I’ll consider it, but doing so is quite out of the question…
F- New York and New Jersey, who want’s to live there anyway. Both places Suck big time I would never again set foot in either state nor most other northeast Commie strong hold states. here in Florida we dodged a bullet
when we defeated Dumbo Gillfish, other wise Florida Would be like those Lefty Lib A holes. now we need to vote out: Blabber Mouth Scholtz, Alvin Wexler, and LC Hazbeen. and the rest of the God Less Dem.
Just Vote NO for Joe and Kameltoe.
Tax mountain bikes 100.00 road tax
and skateboards…
You’re right, it will never end…..
Governments need to keep to their budgets and not raise taxes from the excuse they have “budget shortfalls”. Otherwise, it will never end.
I’m so tired of these democrats trying to take our 2nd amendment rights away, especially from these big democratically controlled cities and states. How about if you vote for a democrat, any democrat, you forfeit your right to keep and bear arms? I’m all for nit-whitmer being impeached. Let’s get uncle Ted in office! Happy Friday 2A supporters!
How is it legal to tax a constitutionally guaranteed right? These people are nuttier than squirrel poop. Phil Murphy should be impeached just for suggesting this garbage. People are losing their livelihoods in droves and this clown wants more of the people’s money. New Jersey needs to toss this bum out and get a real governor. He can take our idiotic Gov Whitless with him. Remember If you come for mine you better bring yours! LEAVE OUR RIGHTS ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!