Guns and Ammo Excise Taxes Getting Attention in Five States

Lawmakers in at least five states are considering legislation placing new taxes on manufacturers and dealers of firearms and ammunition as a strategy for addressing gun violence, following a model established by California and Colorado in 2024.

Bills levying excise taxes on the firearms industry have been introduced in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, and Washington this year. Similar efforts appeared in New Mexico and Vermont in recent years, but fell short.

The legislative activity reflects previous campaigns using excise taxes to address the social costs associated with tobacco, alcohol, and hazardous chemicals, advocates said. Excise taxes ...