House Democrats are attempting to impose a significant tax on what they refer to as “assault weapons” in anticipation of a new federal regulation that may drastically alter the definition of a gun dealer.
According to Fox News, 25 House Democrats on Friday suggested a 1,000 percent excise tax on so-called assault rifles and large-capacity magazines.
Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia and 24 other Democrats sponsored the legislation. Republicans have a slim majority in the House.
Similar legislation from Beyer from the previous year imposed a 1,000 percent excise duty on anything that was or was a component of a semiautomatic weapon and could store more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
One day earlier, more than 100 Democrats from the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force had complained to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy about the lack of any gun control legislation that had been put to a vote this session.
The Biden administration may be publishing a new rule to follow up on a provision of the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” that was passed into law last year, according to The New York Times, a report that surfaced amid the congressional squabbling.
The clause obliges anyone who generates money from the sale of firearms to apply for a federal license and run background checks.
The existing regulatory framework defines a dealer as someone who makes a living selling weapons, and only federally licensed dealers are required to perform background checks.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order in March to expedite the implementation of the new provision.
According to The Times, the new regulation is being worked on by the Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with a completion date anticipated for the latter half of 2024.
The Times said the new provision “could set a threshold number of transactions that would define a dealer; gun-control groups hope to see it at five sales a year or lower. The rules will be backed up by a renewed push to prosecute businesses that refuse to register, by accessing bank records, storage unit leases, and other expenses associated with running an off-the-books gun business.”
The gun control organization Giffords, founded by former Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, enthusiastically endorsed everything mentioned above.
Every gun sale should require a background check. Thanks to @POTUS, we're almost there.
For years, we've pushed for the government to require more gun sellers to become licensed dealers and conduct background checks. ATF is expected to act any day now. https://t.co/0CbOu2tsyx
— GIFFORDS (@GIFFORDS_org) August 2, 2023
I’m hoping all new regulations will be issued & made effective soon by the Biden Administration under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) August 1, 2023
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut wants a low threshold to target private dealers.
“Everybody agrees those people should have to perform background checks,” he said, according to the Times.
Not quite. Gun Owners of America is ready to fight back when the rule drops.
“While Gun Owners of America fights for the Second Amendment in the courts, Congress must repeal the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—which was a compromise with the Biden Administration that Republicans NEVER should have struck,” the group said in a statement Tuesday.
“It has been completely weaponized, gun owners have gained nothing, and America is no safer. Cornyn-Murphy has got to go, and Republicans must expiate for this sin,” GOA said.
“Congress must also participate in the rulemaking process and voice its opposition to backdoor universal background registration checks during the public notice and comment period alongside GOA members,” the group said.
“After commenting during the proposed rule phase, Congress must also take up a joint resolution of disapproval pursuant to the Congressional Review Act and strike down this unconstitutional infringement,” it said.