I OPPOSE the proposed 35 % excise tax on ammunition.

I stand in strong opposition to House Bill # 5040: AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN EXCISE TAX ON AMMUNITION.

This bill would place a 35 % excise tax on ammunition.

Those most affected by this new Connecticut tax would be law-abiding gun owners, not criminals.

The tax will make it more difficult for law-abiding gun owners to learn how to safely use firearms.

The tax – especially a large 35 percent tax – could encourage consumers to head for Connecticut’s borders to buy ammunition or seek ammunition in the black market.

This burdensome levy would negatively impact the thousands of competitive shooters and sportsmen/women in Connecticut.

It also would negatively impact lawful small businesses in Connecticut by discouraging ammunition buyers from doing business with them.

Low-income individuals will be disproportionately affected by this 35% tax.

This proposal unfairly targets a segment of our population, and in my view, it represents poor public policy.

I will vote NO on House Bill 5040.

Thank you!