Seattle gun tax will be overturned

In 2009, the City of Seattle restricted the sale of firearms within the city limits.    In 2012, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that only the state had the power to regulate guns and firearms and unanimously overturned Seattle’s law.

But, the city tried again.   Just recently it levied  a tax and all firearm sales within the corporate city limits, but more importantly, slapped a significant tax on the sale of ammunition.

It reasoned that the city had the authority to tax.

At least three gun right groups have filed suit to stop Seattle from taxing firearms and ammunition.

Seattle officials think they’ve found a way to restrict firearms by making it more expensive – – particularly the ammunition.

However, the power of cities to tax is granted by the state.   Cities can put a fee on services, but a tax has to be approved by the state.

Seattle’s new tax will be successfully challenged once again.   The courts will rule that the city can’t tax guns without legislative approval.   But the battle will drag on for years and cost the taxpayers of the state a great deal of money.

I don’t know if the court decision will be unanimous this time, but I do know gun advocates will prevail.

In the meantime, the City of Seattle will once again make its views on gun ownership well-known at a cost for taxpayers.