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National gun and ammo tax to reduce gun violence

Kevin Knauss
Support a national tax on the sale of guns and ammunition to fund mental health services in our communities.

Support a national tax on the sale of guns and ammunition to fund mental health services in our communities.

As I sit watching the coverage of the Newtown CT. school shootings I realize that virtually every mass shooting can be linked to some sort of mental health issue. Some of the shooters have been methodical in their planning to kill with a gun, while others just “snap” and go on a rampage. Regardless, family, friends and associates, if not the actual shooter, realize the gunman is under mental stress or is having a mental health crisis and needs help. Because those closest to the shooters may not be able to restrict his access to guns, we need to seriously consider a national tax on gun and ammunition sales to fund the support and expansion of mental health services in our communities to intervene with help.

Mental health care is expensive

Unfortunately, even with health insurance, getting mental health services such as counseling, therapy and evaluation can be difficult. Barriers to mental health care are just the lack of services and the cost. Often times long term and crisis intervention mental health services are some of the first government expenditures to be cut when budgets get tight. This leaves those in crisis and their families with few options other than watching a slow deterioration of the mental condition.

Stable funding source for mental health care

In an effort to expand mental health services and crisis help lines, we should consider a national tax on all gun and ammunition sales. Even though gun violence comprises a small percentage of the total mental health issues our communities face, they have the most profound consequences and impacts. Part of the money could potentially go to direct intervention, some to long term mental health management and perhaps the remainder for counseling of the victims and families.

Focus on the shooter, not the gun

While there is definitely room for other gun control measures, we almost unanimously agree that the mental stability of the shooter is the primary cause of the rampages.  A national tax on gun sales and ammunition avoids any complaints that a proposed gun control law is infringing on the 2nd Amendment or it is the first step towards confiscation of firearms. The tax speaks to the mental health of the shooter and not the restriction of the legal gun or ammunition.

Law enforcement should have a role

Improved access to mental health care will not stop all gun violence or perhaps even all mass shootings. But similar to AA programs for alcoholics or traffic school for DUI offenders, expanded mental health care will certainly reduce the number of tragedies we have seen. The collected tax revenue could be distributed in the form of grants, jointly administered by county mental health providers and law enforcement, to those areas that have the greatest risk for gun violence.

Although, there should also be a mechanism to allocate funds for intervention through out the whole nation. I have no clue at this point how much money could be raised through such taxes. The Congressional Budget Office would be able to calculate a reasonable estimate.

Not perfect, but at least I am offering an idea

I’ll be the first to admit that taxes suck. Gun owners will wonder why they are being singled out as a tax base for expanded government services. Unfortunately, the revenue has to come from some place. “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people”, is a familiar refrain we hear about gun control. Well, now is time for the community that supports guns, to support a solution to gun violence in America.

If you support a tax on the sale of guns and ammunition, please contact your elected congressional representative or Senator and ask them to introduce such legislation. You can also sign a petition calling for a national sales tax on guns and ammo.

White House Petition site http://wh.gov/QPeJ          Facebook Page

Here are some responses as to why some folks are signing the petition:

I am not anti-gun. I am, in fact, a gun owner. Gun control was not, for a long time, at the top of my political priorities list. But the more I see of our country, the more I understand the importance of the founding father’s “well-regulated” stipulation in the second amendment. Taxation for the benefit of mental health is an excellent starting point.  

Maryann, California

These almost weekly mass killings are a national disgrace and we as a people are so much better than to let this continue unabated. 

Lynne, Texas

The USA has a ridiculous amount of deaths from guns especially when compared to the rest of the world.  

MICHAEL, California

Getting a gun is easier than getting mental health services. 

Lynn, Wisconsin

We need to take action to address the chronic problems that are leading to an ever-growing list of tragedies. A gun and ammo tax makes perfect sense, it’s practical and can be implemented, it’s fair because it is paid for by those adding to the number of guns available to killers and has the highest cost paid by those who buy the most guns and ammo. I support such a measure 100%. 

Karen, Wisconsin

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