Never mind that none of these political hacks would even consider taxing any other constitutional right.
Never mind that there’s zero evidence that any revenue collected from Tacoma taxing guns and ammo would make any difference in the city’s “gun violence” problem.
And never mind that, if the tax is imposed, Tacoma residents will just drive outside city limits to buy firearms and ammunition, just as they’re doing in Seattle (while driving the city’s gun stores out of business).
Tacoma’s proposed tax on guns and ammunition isn’t about results. It’s about DOING SOMETHING, feeling good about having done it, and using the “accomplishment” to get the politicians who vote for it reelected.
The push back — and the gun lobby mobilization effort — was expected.
To which I say: Tacoma, poke that bear.
Yes, I think the tax on firearms and ammo can potentially do some good, providing a small revenue source to pay for gun-violence prevention programming — which can’t hurt.
Anything helps.
But you know what? There’s another part of me that’s just so damn sick and tired of seeing the same tragedies — and the same lame reactions, defenses and non-responses — that I’m simply ready for the city to do anything it can.
If that essentially amounts to a middle finger directed at the organized gun lobby — whose sole mission at this point seems to be thwarting any and all common-sense gun regulation — so be it.
I’m done with #ThoughtsAndPrayers. I’m over not “politicizing” senseless gun deaths. And I’m tired of watching the all-powerful gun lobby flex every time anywhere — even a city the size of Tacoma — tries to challenge it.
Over. It.
So Poke. Poke. Poke.
– Matt Driscoll in Let the gun lobby rant. Taxing firearms and ammunition sales in Tacoma is right thing