From the National Shooting Sports Foundation . . .
NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, marked a milestone achievement when firearm and ammunition manufacturers topped $15 billion in contributions to the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund since its inception in 1937.
βThis is an achievement for which all in the firearm and ammunition industry are proud,β said Joe Bartozzi, NSSFβs President and CEO. βThis historic milestone is indicative of the value this industry places on the conservation of wildlife and the habitats in which they thrive. The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, which is mainly funded by taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, has been responsible for the restoration and recovery of Americaβs iconic game species, including the Rocky Mountain elk, whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, wild turkey and a variety of waterfowl. These funds have also contributed to the recovery of non-game species that are not hunted, including the American bald eagle. The firearm and ammunition industry is filled with pride to achieve this landmark for conservation funding and the role our industry plays to ensure Americaβs wildlife is perpetuated for future generations.β
It was less than a year ago that NSSF announced Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax contributions surpassed $14 billion.
The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, commonly known as theΒ Pittman-Robertson fund, is funded by excise taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers on their products, as well as archery equipment manufacturers. The excise tax is set at 11 percent of the wholesale price for long guns and ammunition and 10 percent of the wholesale price for handguns. The excise tax, paid by manufacturers and importers, applies to all firearms produced or imported for commercial federal law enforcement sales, whether the purpose is for recreational shooting, hunting or personal defense. The tax is administered by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the Department of the Treasury, which turns the funds over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
USFWS deposits the Pittman-Robertson revenues into a special account called the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund administered by the USFWS. These funds are made available to states and territories the year following their collection based on a statutory formula. Earlier this year, USFWS announced it had dispersed to the states $1.5 billion in total funding, of which $1.1 billion was directly tied to taxes paid by the firearm and ammunition industry.
These 10 to 11 percent excise tax dollars collected since 1937 under the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act are specifically designated to be used by state wildlife agencies for conservation and related purposes. Collectively, purchasers of firearms and ammunition, hunters and the industry are the greatest source of wildlife conservation funding.
I know a lot of non hunter/shooters resent paying this tax. I get it. Remember, this tax also pays for free public shooting ranges. I spent many days on the one off Springhill Rd. in the Apalachicola National Forrest. You could zero your rifle and go hunting without getting off the same road. Besides, do any of you guys not enjoy seeing wildlife? Even if you don’t hunt? I can’t see a deer in a field when I’m driving and not smile.
I see at least some benefit from this tax. Which is more than I can say about the majority of taxes.
jwm, I’ll tell you another hidden benefit. Some of these funds pay for hunter education programs. Not all these kids may go on to be hunters, but some may become POTG.
I smile, the deer smiles, the farmer who owns the field doesn’t smile. My cousin who hit a deer a few years back and totaled her car probably doesn’t smile when she sees deer anymore. More than feeling happiness, when I see deer, I get hungry. When I lived in Cleveland, we had deer and wild turkeys roaming the city streets. I still have deer that come down my street and through my backyard. I think the city councils should let us bowhunt, but they’re all Democrats or high-strung, petty-tyrant RINOs, so there’s no way they would.
The R-P Tax is administered by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the Department of the Treasury. What could go wrong there??? Everywhere there is money in play, the greater opportunity for politicians/bureaucrats to skim, scam, squander, launder and pocket, and buy votes of the Government Plantation Dwellers via free shit shenanigans. Who has been auditing the fund?? While I see much good from the tax proceeds, I question the constitutionality of this tax, being a tax on a constitutionally guaranteed inalienable right in the 2A. I understand a right, and what is required to exercise said right, is not to be taxed. In additon to the R-P Tax, what about sales tax on firearms/ammo? Am I wrong?
Pro2A, you make a good point ref the tax on a constitutional right. It’s one I’ve struggled with myself. I expect the target archers, as opposed to bow hunters, don’t like PR much either. As for sales tax on FA/ammo. John found us 500 rds of 7.62X39 in stripper clips yesterday. European. At an attractive price. Part of an estate being handled by a local GS. He brought it home today. He’s a good boy. 7% sales tax on every round.
If it puts smiles on Ducks, Deer, Squirrels, Turkeys, Fish, Birds, Trees, Lakes, etc. I do not mind contributing to benefit the great outdoors. However after contributing enough to buy a top of the line Barrett to the NRA I want to be assured funds are spent wisely.
ALL BARRETTS are TOP OF THE LINE. Ronnie and Chris “don’t make no junk.” π π π Is that a little or big BOOMER Barrett?? A fool and their money are soon parted. Only question is what is doin’ the partin’…….fast cars, whiskey, wild women, Barretts??? Ronnie and Chris send me Christmas cards….really, really old fool, sans adult supervision. Not really the guns, but more the safes and eventually the retired bank for the vault….watch for the really, really old guy on YOU LIVE IN WHAT cable program π π π
The 2A is BIG BUSINESS for both sides of the issue. Same old, same old formula for parting We The Little Peeps from our money……victim/bad guy/savior……just the names change. More convinced every day there is way better ROI for 2A and America overall in lead and brass…..that’s where it will eventually end up being resolved anyway. Until then, the more money in play the more opportunity to skim, scam, squander, launder and pocket, and buy votes with. Do you ever get anything from any of the 2A Saviors without a plea for money….NRA, GOA, SAF, FPC, CRKBA, et el, et el. Doesn’t appear to be any good guys any more….just the justification role.
So how do we fix it ?
The 2A BIG BUSINESS is merely indicative of the overall problem overwhelming America. Called GOA’s Larry Pratt on it at SAF Gun Rights Policy Conference reception event several years back. He turned white, stood speechless, eventually turned, hustled away…as though horrified someone had figured out the scam. I am 100% supportive of capitalism….no system ever conceived surpasses it if not corrupted. It’s like God created religion…and then man/bricks’n’mortar got involved. (I do believe our Founders were Divinely inspired….another chance for Free Choice Greatness…..and again a fumble was embraced by all.) First step to a purchasing decision or fixing a problem is awareness. You are now aware of the issue. Beyond that, I don’t have the solution at this point. There may not be a solution without modern Patriots putting all on the line as did our Founders.
Not seeing that happening….beyond Keyboard Commando rants. Maybe the path our Founding Fathers chose is the only way to reset what we have relinquished of what they put their all on the line to create, hand down to us. When asked what type of government the Founders were giving us, the reply was “A republic, if you can keep it.” Obviously we haven’t been able to retain it very well. Founders Rolling Eyes, Shaking Heads. Crying Their Asses Off. Socialist/Elitists have created a Government Plantation Dwellers Program in magnitude that the very soul of America has been transformed….ala OBlunder’s “join me in transforming America.” Lennin’s “give me the children, and I will transform the country.” …climb on the Free Shit Express….Big Brother will set you free…..what bathroom should I use….fiasco extravaganzas. CHECK….DONE. Don’t see those minds being re-imprinted…..several generational indoctrinations down the road from the 60s transformation onset. Watch DSouza’s new documentary “2000 Mules” about the 2020 election shenanigans and convince me one thinks “nicey nicey let’s vote on it” will save America. The freedoms, liberties, rights which make America so utterly unique are the very freedoms, rights, liberties being used to take those very treasures away. Systems can become the master especially as the system grows, becomes ingrained……just the way it is phenomenon. Post Jan 6, “insurrection” was used as though it is a bad thing. Fortunately, our Founding Fathers did not view that word as such, or we would be having tea and crumpets daily at 3:00PM sharp. What did Jefferson say about rebellion?
“What country before, ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance?” AH HA…there is the WHY behind gun control. Politicians don’t care about dead bodies in schools, streets….those are features. “That is why our masters in Washington are so anxious to disarm us. They are not afraid of criminals. They are afraid of a populace which cannot be subdued by tyrants. ” – late Col Jeff Cooper. They care about their own corrupt asses…..ala
Xiden/Clinton Corruption Syndicates….being reminded by Patriots with scary black ARs. Individuals may become aware, but amid the requirements of life, we don’t have time or dedication to find the solution, put forth the energy, resources, commitment….put our all on the line. To a large extent that is what the anti-American forces rely upon to overwhelm America, which is their daily job versus being a Productive Citizen. Don’t understand their thought processes. It’s like my doctor son/lawyer DIL,”retired” at <50…..benefactors of America, capitalism greatness. But, they HATE America…..academia indoctrination. Let the flaming commence….popcorn buttered, cold one popped, LazyBoy reclined. This should be entertaining.
Who is auditing the $33BILLION and growing cash extravaganza in play (all the better to skim, scam, squander, launder and pocket, buy Dwellers votes…..) to Ukraine……..Hunter????? What could possibly go wrong here????? A Patriot’s wrong is a Hunter’s success.
AH…the old TTAG “Your Comment is Awaiting Moderation.” Note to Elon…..buy TTAG right after FB…….
Pro2A, you make a good point ref the tax on a constitutional right. It’s one I’ve struggled with myself. I expect the target archers, as opposed to bow hunters, don’t like PR much either. As for sales tax on FA/ammo. John found us 500 rds of 7.62X39 in stripper clips yesterday. European. At an attractive price. Part of an estate being handled by a local GS. He brought it home today. He’s a good boy. 7% sales tax on every round.
Manufacturers don’t pay taxes. Any taxes that are assessed get passed on to the consumer. Gun and ammo buyers paid that $15 billion, possibly more if the manufacturers added margin to the tax.
True but not really indictive of anything. Starts with biden and rolls downhill till it gets to us.
Iβm strictly a shooter and have no problem, NO problem paying my share. Itβs one tax I actually feel good about.
I understand that to many this tax sucks less than other taxes, as we actually get something back, so it’s more like a fee with a specific use.
However, i still have 2 problems with it. First, it’s basically a tax on a right. You cannot tax a right. If there is a 2A fee, we might as well have a fee on free speech and voting.
Secondly, the government is known for mismanagement and corruption. If we abolished this tax and had accountable local charities take over, we might get more for our money.
HOPE CAN SAVE PRESERVES AND WILD LIFE , FOR FUTURE ,IF HUMANS ? HAVE ONE , GOBAL WARMING , CRISIS , N ALL POLLUTION , N OVER POPULATION . WHEW .
KNOW PLANET WILL SURVIE TILL SUN , TAKES OVER .
That’s why I say we have no hope for change except by force. This country has been taken over by corrupt politicians for over 45 years. Everyone one that in government from the past 45 years has baggage. They all need to be put on trial and investigated.i do home work ….. π°π¨π«π€π¬ππ₯π’ππ€.ππ¨π¦
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