Ask your Assembly Member to vote “NO” on AB 1223!
AB 1223 is now on the Assembly floor and will be brought up for a vote by Friday, June 4!
AB 1223 would impose an 11% tax on all long gun and ammunition purchases, along with a 10% tax on handgun sales. This bill is said to “mirror” the federal excise tax paid by sportsmen and women to fund conservation efforts via the Pittman-Robertson Act. The revenue generated by AB 1223, however, would not be used to fund conservation. It would instead fund a program that helps deal with criminal activity.
Please contact your assembly member immediately and urge them to vote “NO” on AB 1223!
Each year, California’s sportsmen and women contribute tens of millions of dollars to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, providing vital revenue to help carry out their mission of managing the state’s diverse fish and wildlife, and the habitats upon which they depend. These funds are generated through fishing and hunting license sales, and through the purchase of sporting-related goods. Under the Pittman-Robertson Act, a 10-11% federal excise tax is paid on all firearm and ammunition purchases, which in turn funds a large portion of the state’s wildlife management, conservation, and research efforts.
AB 1223, if passed, would double the excise tax already paid by sportsmen, thereby driving up the costs of these goods, reducing sales, and in turn, reducing the conservation funding, which benefits all California residents.
CONTACT YOUR ASSEMBLY MEMBER TODAY!
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
