I have to commend the progressive socialist left for its determination to undermine the Second Amendment rights of American citizens. The left simply does not understand the simple language of “shall not be infringed.” So the latest folly emanating from one of the most liberal socialist cities in America is not at all surprising. However, I have to ask, why does an über socialist city such as Seattle cheer for a winning football team — after all, I thought the left was all about fair share and social egalitarianism?
Anyway, we recently we reported here about the absolutely insane law Seattle passed to help offset the financial toll of gun violence. Instead of addressing the real problem of gun violence, the city commission decided a $25.00 tax on all firearms sales and a $.05 tax on each bullet will reduce the crime rate and pay for all those expenses incurred by the city when criminals shoot each other up.
But gun owners aren’t taking this folly lying down.
As reported by Yahoo News, “Three gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association, sued the city of Seattle on Monday over its adoption of a so-called “gun violence tax.” The complaint was filed Monday in King County Superior Court by the NRA, the Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, along with two gun owners and two gun shops. It called the tax legally unenforceable because Washington state prohibits local governments from adopting laws related to firearms unless those local ordinances are specifically authorized by the state.
“The ordinance serves only as a piece of propaganda, because the ordinance’s mandates are legally unenforceable,” the lawsuit said. “The state of Washington has the exclusive right to regulate the sale of firearms in Washington, and cities may not enact local laws or regulations related to the sale of firearms.” The Seattle City Council unanimously approved the tax this month, along with a companion measure requiring gun owners to file reports if their weapons are stolen or lost. The lawsuit does not challenge the reporting requirements.”
Now, I must first ask, what if a city in America decided not to allow same-sex marriages? We brought up this issue previously, because how can the Supreme Court demand states accept same-sex marriage yet allow states and cities to have mandates, regulations, and laws that violate the Second Amendment rights of American citizens? What I just admire about the liberal progressive left is its complete and total disregard for legal standing or precedence when it doesn’t fit their ideological agenda — same-sex marriage does; legal gun ownership does not.
Now, to the argument presented by the Seattle City Council– it reflects the true nature of the progressive left. They do not see individuals but rather collective groups. And so it becomes necessary to punish an unrelated group of law-abiding American citizens because they participate in an activity, which the left despises. It is inane and delusional to use taxation — but typical of the left — as a coercive means to modify the behavior of law-abiding citizens. Consider how absolutely absurd it is to say that citizens seeking to legally purchase a firearm — their individual right — must pay a tax because of others’ criminal behaviors.
So, if all of a sudden deaths by hammers increase in America, shall the lunatic fringe of the progressive socialist left institute a “hammer tax” Why not? Or should we tax knives as a result of stabbings (or just stop selling them, like IKEA did after a jihadist beheaded a shopper in the store)?
I have a better idea. How ‘bout we punish the criminal and stop with this shared pain belief which just masks the real intent — curbing gun ownership and ammunition purchase. I have no issue with reporting a lost or stolen weapon – that’s common sense and trust me, gun owners are happy to do that. And if my stolen weapon is recovered, well, give it back to me, no funny federal ATF business.
I’ve got a question: will the federal government pay a tax related to the gun running Operation Fast and Furious? U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry lost his life to gun violence enabled by the federal government. How about this, I must ask, is Seattle an illegal alien sanctuary city? If it is, then will they tax themselves if an illegal alien kills an American citizen with a gun? After all, it wouldn’t have happened if they followed the rule of law.
“Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes has argued that the gun-violence tax falls squarely under Seattle’s taxing authority, and City Council President Tim Burgess, who proposed the measure, echoed that Monday. He said the state Supreme Court has never interpreted whether the state’s general pre-emption of local firearms ordinances includes taxing gun or ammunition sales.”
Seems like the same argument about “taxing authority” was used to approve the Obamacare individual mandate — which is inconsistent with the commerce clause in our Constitution. Apparently now if you want to modify individual American’s behavior for any liberal ideological purpose you use “taxing authority” as the fail safe position.
Mr Holmes asserted, “We took a simple and commonsense measure to support gun safety research and prevention methods,” he added. “It’s not in any way an attempt to regulate the sale, use or possession of firearms.” Officials modeled the tax after a similar one in Chicago’s Cook County, Illinois; the NRA said Chicago is the only other city with such a measure. The revenue (from Seattle’s tax) would be used for gun safety research and gun violence prevention programs. Between 2006 and 2010, there were on average 131 firearms deaths a year in King County, according to Public Health-Seattle and King County. An additional 536 people required hospitalization for shooting injuries during that time.”
Hmm, so they modeled this measure after Cook County and how successful have they been in Chicago stemming gun violence with some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country? I suppose the liberal progressive mantra is to replicate failure — as long as it fits your ideological agenda.
Imagine this, a box of 100 rounds of ammo will be increased in price by two to five cent per round based on caliber type. And for what? Gun safety research? Let me help out my gun control American friends — guns come with a safety mechanism. Ok, research done. And another research tidbit — if you take the safety off of a gun and it’s loaded, it can fire — so don’t point it at anyone. Last research result? The best gun violence prevention program is to have armed citizens — criminals don’t like armed citizens. Criminals like gun free zones and unarmed citizens because criminals like victims.
Bottom line, the slicksters in the Seattle city council have snuck in a backdoor gun control measure, but this is what will happen. All the gun stores will move out of Seattle.
City Attorney Pete Holmes is just another example of a liberal progressive using taxation as a punitive measure to achieve a desired ideological end — and we know that for the left, the ends justify the means. The liberal left hates guns. The progressive left hate law enforcement. The socialist left prefers control, and armed citizens cannot be controlled…they are citizens, not subjects.
Just another reminder to the left: the Minutemen took the field at Lexington Green and Concord Bridge because the British were coming to take away their guns. Just a little reminder folks.
