SAF FILES LAWSUIT CHALLENGINGCOLORADO’S EXCISE TAX ON GUNS, AMMO

BELLEVUE, WA – April 1, 2025 – The Second Modification Basis has filed a lawsuit in Denver County District Court docket difficult Colorado’s Proposition KK as an unconstitutional tax on the train of a elementary constitutional proper.

Becoming a member of SAF in Langston v. Humphreys are the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation, Firearms Coverage Coalition, Magnum Capturing Heart of Colorado Springs, the Colorado State Capturing Affiliation, and a non-public citizen, Zachary Langston. They’re represented by attorneys David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, William V. Bergstrom, Athanasia O. Livas, Julian R. Ellis, Jr. and Michael Francisco.

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Named as defendants are Heidi Humphreys, govt director of the state Division of Income and Michael J. Allen, district lawyer of El Paso County, of their official capacities.

SAF and its companions contend that the state’s 6.5% excise tax on the retail sale of any firearm, firearm precursor half, or ammunition is unconstitutional in that it impermissibly singles out the train of a constitutional proper for particular taxation. There have been a number of rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court docket prohibiting such a tax scheme.

“Colorado’s new regulation impermissibly taxes an enumerated constitutional proper,” stated SAF Government Director Adam Kraut. “Not solely does the tax lack any foundation in our nation’s historical past and custom of firearms regulation, it violates Supreme Court docket precedent that states the train of constitutional rights can’t be focused by way of taxation. We look ahead to vindicating the rights of all Coloradans who’re affected by this egregious try to relax the train of Second Modification rights.”

“Federal laws to forestall this kind of tax was launched simply days in the past in each the Home and Senate,” famous SAF founder and Government Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “They’re calling it the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act, and grasping, anti-gun lawmakers in Colorado are in all probability no less than partly liable for such a invoice on Capitol Hill. You merely can not tax the train of a constitutionally-protected elementary proper.”