ILLINOIS ACTION ALERT: Vote NO on SB-09, the (newest) poll tax on gun rights

Illinois Carry did a nice job with a Call to Action on Senate Bill 9. The General Assembly is out this week, but will be back next week and the bill may be called at any time.  Call your Senators (and your Reps) and leave a message for them to VOTE NO on SB-09.

Call to Acton – Oppose SB009

(Tax on gun clubs, ranges, and hunting clubs)

 

Contact Your State Senators This Week!

 

 

 

In our first Call to Action of the newly seated 100th General Assembly, we bring to your attention SB009 Revenue Various.

 

SB009 started as a simple question of creating new taxes, a question too easily answered "yes" in this state.  It is now more than that.  Much more.

 

Senate Amendment 2 seeks to impose 5% membership and service taxes:

 

>  In addition to the amusement tax on ranges already imposed by several municipalities

>  In addition to the Cook County tax on firearms and ammunition

>  In addition to the proposed fees covering the cost of serializing ammunition under HB271

>  In addition to the already costly training and license fees required to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois

>  In addition to the cost of hunting licenses

>  In addition to current local, state and federal sales taxes on products associated with membership and use of hunting and gun clubs, training, and competition

 

These new taxes were not, of course, presented in a forthright way that would foster open debate.  Instead, they were hidden in amendments to SB009 among a plethora of other taxes, filed quickly and quietly on a bill positioned to move through the Senate at a moment's notice.

 

We must recognize that the more the state taxes our ability to train, compete, and hunt the more it discourages the very practices that foster safe firearm ownership.  The more it encourages people to purchase products and services elsewhere.

 

The truth will be SB009's greatest obstacle.  Spread some truth, and spread our rights.

 

Beginning Monday, 1/30/2017, please contact your State Senators in their district offices.  Politely explain that SB009 is no longer as it seems.  Let them know that while we can debate the wisdom of burdening Illinois with additional taxes one thing is not debatable.  The State does not have proper authority to tax our Second Amendment rights.  Contact information for your State Senator can be found here.

 

Be on the lookout for additional Calls to Action on this bill, and others.  After the November elections, anti-gun groups are starved for any appearance of victory.  We must make sure Illinois does not become a notch in their belt.

Todd Vandermyde wrote this about the bill:

Senate Bill 9 with Amendment #2

The bill would impose a 5% tax on any membership or access fees for a shooting range or gun club.

That would include: Gun club and hunt club membership, Range access fees (commercial range/gun shops), and range rental fees. There would be a tax on training classes and match fees to the extent they apply to range access and not ammunition or training costs.

The 5% tax is assessed and collected like sales tax. It is imposed on the payment made, charged to the buyer, collected by the vendor, and remitted to the state. Returns would be filed on a monthly basis, though tax revenues under $50 per month would be filed annually and tax revenues under $200 per month would be filed quarterly.

The bill would also require all providers to register with the state and pay an annual registration fee of $75.

The tax applies to a broad category of amusements, and does not singularly target gun clubs. It includes, country clubs, golf, swimming, tennis, fishing and yachting clubs, gym membership, sporting events, movie theaters, live-music venues, etc

What are the practical effects of this tax;
1. A tax on all gun club memberships
2. A tax on any range rental. Whether individual at a commercial operation or rental for a concealed carry class or a Boy Scout merit badge.
3. A tax on match entry fees
4. A tax on field exercises for hunter education classes that take place on a range
5. A tax on training classes that use ranges. From concealed carry to premier classes offer by Shrek & MacNamara.
6. A tax on hunt club memberships
7. If you are a concealed carry instructor and use a private range, you will have to register, pay the $75 fee and then charge a tax on at least a portion of your class if not all of it and remit it to the State.

Please call your senators and urge them to oppose SB-9 with its taxes on ranges, training and gun & hunting clubs. They will be home all next week in their district offices.