US 2nd Amendment Under Assault, Freedom Firearms Guns Defense

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Unusual that Govts would both deny themselves
any chance at extorting a tax, and allow guns...



Illinois Supreme Court Rules Tax On Guns & Ammo Unconstitutional

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/illinois-supreme-court-rules-unconstitutional-tax-on-guns-and-ammo_4065030.html
https://s3.amazonaws.com/jnswire/jns-media/09/94/11626108/cookcounty_gun_taxes_il_supreme_10-21-21.pdf

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 21 that two taxes on guns and
ammunition in Cook County violate the state’s constitution because
they affect law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment right to acquire
firearms for self-defense.
TINLEY PARK, IL - OCTOBER 18: Pistols are offered for sale at Freddie
Bear Sports on October 18, 2012 in Tinley Park, Illinois. Facing a
$267.5 million fiscal 2013 budget gap

Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis wrote in a 6–0 decision that the
taxes violate the constitution’s uniformity clause, while also
pointing out that the revenue from the generated tax isn’t directed
toward funds or programs that reduce gun violence.

    “While the taxes do not directly burden a law-abiding citizen’s
right to use a firearm for self-defense, they do directly burden a
law-abiding citizen’s right to acquire a firearm and the necessary
ammunition for self-defense,” Theis wrote in a 14-page opinion (pdf)
filed on Thursday.

    “Under the plain language of the ordinances, the revenue generated
from the firearm tax is not directed to any fund or program
specifically related to curbing the cost of gun violence,” she noted.
“Additionally, nothing in the ordinance indicates that the proceeds
generated from the ammunition tax must be specifically directed to
initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence.”

The justice concluded that the case will be remanded to the circuit
court “for entry of summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs.”

In 2012, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a $25 tax on
the retail purchase of a firearm within the county. The county’s
Firearm Tax Ordinance was enacted in April 2013.

A separate county tax was enacted in 2015, which added $0.05 per
cartridge for centerfire ammunition and $0.01 per cartridge for
rimfire ammunition. Americans who fail to pay those taxes are subject
to a $1,000 fine for the first offense and a $2,000 fine for
subsequent offenses.

The trade group and gun-rights organization, Guns Save Life,
challenged both taxes in a lawsuit against the county, saying they
violate the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

A spokesman for Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle said on
Thursday they are disappointed in the ruling and will work to
determine the next steps.