Republican Sen. Jim Risch introduced the Freedom of Unfair Gun Taxes Act to the Senate March 27, 2025. (Al Drago/Pool/Getty Images)
"Blue states that implement an excessive excise tax to fund gun control initiatives are exploiting the Second Amendment," Risch said Thursday in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act ensures states do not place a significant financial burden on law-abiding gun owners to advance their anti-Second Amendment agenda."
Issa said states like California historically have introduced "extreme" policies targeting gun owners that jeopardize their Second Amendment rights.
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"The latest attack is California’s imposition of a ‘sin tax’ on firearms and ammunition," Issa said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Specifically, Issa claimed California’s new law, which requires gun sellers to foot the bill for the excise tax, is an "outrageous and unfair burden on law-abiding citizens."
Excise taxes target specific goods or services for manufacturers, consumers or retailers. California's new excise tax is coupled with the 10% to 11% federal excise tax gun dealers already pay that goes toward wildlife conservation efforts.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed California's bill targeting gun purchases into law in 2023. (José Luis Villegas/The Associated Press)
"It’s shameful that gun manufacturers are reaping record profits at the same time that gun violence has become the leading cause of death for kids in the United States," Gabriel said in a statement in July. "This law will generate $160 million annually to fund critical violence prevention and school safety programs that will save lives and protect communities across the State of California."
Co-sponsors of the Senate’s version of the Freedom of Unfair Gun Taxes Act include Republican senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Steve Daines of Montana, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Jim Justice of West Virginia and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska.
Republican representatives Richard Hudson of North Carolina and Doug LaMalfa of California also co-sponsored the House’s version of the measure.
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
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