California has enacted a new law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, that will double taxes on firearms and ammunition.

The revenue generated from this tax increase will be allocated toward enhancing security measures in public schools and funding various violence prevention programs.

Under this legislation, firearms and ammunition sales, which are already subject to federal taxes at rates of either 10% or 11%, depending on the firearm type, will now incur an additional 11% state tax.

This unique tax structure makes California the sole state in the nation to impose its own taxation on firearms and ammunition, as reported by the gun control advocacy group Brady, the Associated Press reported.

Governor Newsom, who is a potential Democratic presidential candidate beyond 2024, is widely recognized as one of the country’s more progressive governors.

Despite his tendency to refrain from raising taxes, even for causes he supports like addressing climate change, vetoing this tax increase would have been challenging for Newsom due to his staunch advocacy for gun control measures at both the state and national levels.

Currently, Newsom is actively involved in a nationwide campaign aimed at amending the U.S. Constitution to impose restrictions on firearm sales, including raising the age limit to 21, mandating thorough background checks, implementing waiting periods for purchases, and prohibiting the sale of assault-style weapons.

Written by staff