Pulaski Times

U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton have introduced new legislation, the Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises (RIFLE) Act, aimed at eliminating a tax on certain firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act. The senators announced the measure as a step to support hunters and shooting enthusiasts.

Senator Boozman stated, “Arkansas’s hunters and shooting sportsmen and women who exercise their Second Amendment rights responsibly deserve access to firearms and accessories without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. I am proud to join Sen. Cotton and our colleagues to take this outdated and burdensome hurdle off the books for the benefit of law-abiding citizens across our country.”

Senator Cotton emphasized the necessity to amend the National Firearms Act, saying, “Law-abiding Americans who exercise their Second Amendment rights should not be subject to unnecessary taxes and restrictions preventing them from doing so. Passed into law in 1934, the National Firearms Act needs to be amended. Our legislation will remove the red tape that places an undue financial burden on would-be gun owners.”

The RIFLE Act has gathered support from several co-sponsors in the Senate, including Senators Ted Budd, Kevin Cramer, Ted Cruz, Steve Daines, Deb Fischer, John Hoeven, Jim Justice, Bernie Moreno, Pete Ricketts, Rick Scott, and Tim Sheehy. Companion legislation has been presented in the U.S. House by Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.

The 1934 National Firearms Act currently imposes a $200 tax on items such as short-barreled shotguns, automatic firearms, and suppressors. Adjusting for inflation, this tax would equate to $4,741 in today’s currency. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives originally set this tax to limit the transaction of such firearms.

The ownership of firearms regulated by the National Firearms Act surged by over 230% from 2018 to 2023. The RIFLE Act seeks to maintain existing background checks and registration requirements while removing the financial obligation imposed by the federal tax. This legislation is supported by the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.