Colorado would create an excise tax on firearms and ammunition, primarily to pay for victim services, if voters approve Proposition KK in the November election.
The ballot measure is the result of one of the slew of firearm-related bills passed by the state legislature this year. The bill to refer the measure to voters, House Bill 1349, passed the legislature with only Democratic votes, along with a few Democrats voting in opposition.
The tax would raise an estimated $39 million a year, with $30 million tagged for services for crime victims. Since it would change state law, the measure needs a simple majority to pass.
What would Proposition KK do if passed?
The measure would add a 6.5% excise tax on guns, firearm parts and ammunition sold in Colorado. Dealers and manufacturers would be responsible for paying the tax, though the cost would likely be passed on to consumers.
Prop. KK includes exemptions from the tax for dealers with annual sales of less than $20,000, private sales between individuals, and retail sales to law enforcement officers and agencies as well as active-duty members of the military.
How much would it cost?
In real terms, the tax would amount to about $60.45 on a $930 firearm or $1.30 on $20 worth of ammunition, according to the state’s Blue Book voter guide.
Where would the money go?
The bulk of the expected $39 million in tax collections — $30 million — would go to victim services in the form of grants. Services include on-site crisis response, counseling, legal advocacy and emergency financial assistance, according to the Blue Book. Of the remainder, $5 million would go to mental health services for veterns, $3 million to crisis-related behavioral health services for children and $1 million to grants for Colorado public schools for security enhancements.
What do supporters say?
Backers argue the new tax revenue would provide crucial funding for victims services, particularly domestic violence survivors. They say gun violence carries a substantial cost, and taxing firearms sellers is an appropriate way to pay for those costs. They argue there’s a connection between firearm prevalence and gun violence, including suicide, and the resulting trauma. This measure would also create more consistent funding for crime victim services and mental health services for veterans and youth.
What do opponents say?
Opponents argue the measure would, in effect, tax lawful gun owners to pay for crimes they didn’t commit, placing an unnecessary burden on law-abiding Coloradans exercising their constitutional right to bear arms.
People convicted of certain crimes are already prohibited from buying firearms, meaning they are in effect barred from paying this tax that would go to victim services. Prop. KK may also incentivize people to buy firearms in other states, opponents say, hurting Colorado businesses and potentially encouraging illegal purchases.
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