NRA sues to stop ammunition, firearm excise tax approved by Colorado voters
DENVER (KDVR) — The National Rifle Association joined a number of organizations, alongside an El Paso County resident, suing to stop a 6.5% excise tax on ammunition and firearms that's set to go into effect on April 1.
Proposition KK was passed by voters in November with 54.4% of voters affirming the tax, or about 1.68 million voters. The tax revenue would be allocated to school security and mental health services for veterans, domestic and other violence victims and at-risk youth.
Governor's desk final hurdle for bill regulating semiautomatic firearms, rapid-fire conversion devices
The lawsuit was filed Monday in Denver District Court against Heidi Humphreys, who is the executive director of the Colorado Department of Revenue, and Michael Allen, who is the district attorney for El Paso County.
The lawsuit seeks to overturn the tax, citing it as an unfair burden on lawful gun owners and firearms industry businesses. The NRA specifically asked for a declaratory judgment calling the tax unconstitutional and a permanent injunction to prevent enforcement of the tax.
'Colorado's firearms excise tax is an overt assault on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Coloradans and a deliberate attempt to discourage the exercise of constitutionally protected freedoms,' said John Commerford, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, in an announcement of the lawsuit. 'Recently, anti-gun activists in Colorado have been adopting California's radical gun control agenda to systematically erode gun rights in the state. We are pleased to join with other Second Amendment advocates in this lawsuit to protect and defend the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.'
The lawsuit's plaintiffs include the Colorado State Shooting Association, the NRA, Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, Magnum Shooting Center — which was described as a leading Colorado firearms retailer.
The groups are contending that the tax violates the Second Amendment and that it unfairly targets and singles out gun owners and retailers.
Brita Horn elected Colorado GOP Chair on 'unify the party' platform amid year of infighting
'This tax is a direct attack on our Second Amendment freedoms,' said Huey Laugesen, executive director of the Colorado State Shooting Association, in a release. 'Law-abiding Coloradans already pay state and local sales taxes on firearm and ammunition purchases, and now the state is layering on this punitive measure. Alongside our partners, we're holding the state accountable in court to defend Coloradans' right to keep and bear arms without assuming additional tax burdens not placed on others.'
The measure is estimated to raise $39 million in state taxes annually.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Colorado joins lawsuit against ATF over deal ending ban on rapid-fire triggers for rifles
DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado is one of 16 states that have sued the Trump administration over its plan to allow the sale of forced-reset triggers that make semiautomatic rifles fire more rapidly and return devices already seized to their owners. The suit announced Monday argues that returning the triggers would violate federal law, pose a threat to residents and law enforcement and worsen gun violence. It was filed in federal court in Maryland. Governor signs bill requiring training for semiautomatic guns, banning rapid-fire conversion devices 'It's hard enough for our local law enforcement officials to protect Colorado communities from gun violence without the federal government willfully ignoring the law,' said Attorney General Weiser. 'The law is clear: machine guns, and devices that turn a semiautomatic weapon into a machine gun, are illegal. We're suing to stop the ATF and the administration from making our communities more dangerous by distributing thousands of devices that turn firearms into weapons of war. These weapons have no place in our communities, and I will continue to fight to keep Coloradans safe from gun violence.' The Colorado law banning the sale of rapid-fire conversion devices, including forced-reset triggers, was signed into law in April and will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2026. Second Amendment supporters have called on the U.S. Attorney General to investigate the measure as an infringement on the U.S. Constitution. Weiser said in a release announcing the state's participation in the lawsuit that machine gun conversion devices like the forced-reset triggers are frequently used in violent crimes and mass shootings. The state attorney general said that by using these devices, firearms can exceed the rate of fire of many military machine guns. 'ATF has noted a significant rise in the use of these types of devices, leading to incidents of machine-gun fire increasing by 1,400% from 2019 through 2021,' Weiser said in a press release. There had been several legal battles over the devices, which replace the typical trigger on an AR-15-style rifle. The Biden administration had previously argued the triggers qualify as machine guns under federal law because constant finger pressure on the triggers will keep a rifle firing, essentially creating an illegal machine gun. The ATF previously classified the triggers as machine guns, but under a directive from the Trump Administration, the bureau signed the settlement agreement that promises to stop enforcing federal law against the devices. New requirements begin July 1 for Colorado concealed carry permits Rare Breed Triggers, the maker of the devices, had argued that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was wrong in its classification and ignored demands to stop selling the triggers before being sued by the Biden administration. The Justice Department reached a deal announced last month with Rare Breed Triggers to allow the sale of forced-reset triggers. The company was previously represented by David Warrington, Trump's current White House counsel. Under the settlement, Rare Breed Triggers agreed not to develop such devices to be used on handguns, according to the Justice Department. The settlement requires the ATF to return triggers that it had seized or that owners had voluntarily surrendered to the government. The states' lawsuit is being led by the attorneys general of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. Other states involved are Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, along with the District of Columbia. The attorneys general in those states are all Democrats, though the office in Hawaii is technically nonpartisan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
PRESS RELEASE: LIE to YOUR BANK and LOSE YOUR GUNS RIGHTS, Says US COURT of APPEALS. (Opinion Attached)
Zherka: 'My Banks Got Paid, My Rights Got Taken' - Government Overreach Mirrors Trump's Political Witch Hunt Real estate titan vows Supreme Court appeal after court upholds lifetime gun ban for nonviolent conviction: 'This is lawfare, plain and simple.' NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 9, 2025 / On June 9, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that real estate magnate and political commentator Selim "Sam" Zherka can be permanently stripped of his Second Amendment rights-even though his conviction was for a nonviolent financial offense, for lying to his bank yet his banks were paid in full, and no one lost a dime. The ruling, in Zherka v. Bondi, upheld the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), a statute that prohibits felons from possessing firearms if the firearm has ever moved in or affected interstate commerce. Zherka, who has no history of violence, challenged the law as unconstitutional "as applied" to him. "I filed an as-applied challenge to the constitutionality of § 922(g), which prohibits felons from possessing any firearm that has moved in or affects interstate commerce," Zherka said. "There are currently conflicting opinions among the federal circuits, which makes my case ripe for a Supreme Court challenge." Zherka drew a direct comparison between his case and that of President Donald J. Trump. "I built a major real estate business like Trump. I was outspoken against both parties. I ran a newspaper that exposed corrupt politicians-and they came after me just like they're going after him. My banks all got paid and love me. But this didn't matter. It's the same political witch hunt." "This decision poses a threat to every American," he warned. "It allows the government to strip away your constitutional rights based on a technicality-without any violence, without any harm, without any loss. Every American who has ever filled out a credit application should be very concerned. Even if you pay your bills, beware." "This decision opens the door to the government's ability to strip any American of their rights-not for violence or harm-but simply for allegedly lying. That is not what our forefathers intended. That is not freedom." The Second Circuit acknowledged that Zherka is part of "the people" protected by the Second Amendment, but ruled that Congress may disarm him anyway based on the fact of a felony conviction-regardless of context or threat. "I respect the Judges but strongly disagree with their decision," Zherka said. "I'm taking this to the Supreme Court. And God willing, a victory there will not only restore my rights-it will set a precedent that protects President Trump and every other American from being railroaded." The case comes amid national debate over political prosecutions, government overreach, and whether nonviolent financial offenders can be stripped of fundamental rights-without due process and without individualized review. (Opinion of the US Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit attached ) Contact Information Sam Zherka samzherka@ SOURCE: Concrete Ventures LLC press release
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Colorado Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen announces resignation
MONUMENT, Colo. (KREX) — On Monday morning, Senator Paul Lundeen announced that he will resign from the Colorado Senate as the Senate Minority Leader to pursue a new position as the next president and CEO of American Excellence Foundation. The American Excellence Foundation is a national investment nonprofit that focuses on supporting conservative causes. His resignation will be effective on Monday, June 9. Lundeen has served over a decade of public service in Colorado, including seven sessions in the Colorado Senate and has been the Senate Minority Leader since 2022. In addition, he has served in the Colorado House of Representatives and on the Colorado State Board of Education. 'Serving Colorado has been an honor and blessing,' said Lundeen. 'I am grateful to the people of Senate District 9 for the opportunity to fight for policies that empower individuals, protect our communities, and promote prosperity. As I transition to a national platform, I am eager to continue advocating for personal freedom, economic opportunity, and common-sense conservative values.' Following the Republican leader's resignation announcement, Governor Polis, House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese and Senate Republicans made statements in response. 'I want to thank Paul Lundeen for his years of service to Colorado. Paul has always found ways to work across the aisle, and do what is best for the people he has served. We've often found common ground on the issues that matter most to Coloradans, like education, public safety and growing our economy. Senator Lundeen has spent decades in public service, in addition to his time leading small businesses, and his presence and leadership will be missed at the Capitol,' said Governor Jared Polis. 'Senator Lundeen has been a principled, thoughtful leader whose dedication to education, economic opportunity, and conservative values has left a lasting impact on Colorado. His voice will be missed at the Capitol, but we are confident he will continue to serve our country well in this next chapter. We thank him for his service and look forward to seeing how he uses this new platform to further the principles we share,' said House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese. 'The Senate Republican Caucus congratulates Minority Leader Lundeen on taking the next steps in his professional career,' said the Colorado Senate Republicans. 'We are grateful for his many years of dedicated public service and thank him for his leadership over the years fighting for students, economic freedom, and safety for all Coloradans. We wish him well and are excited to see him succeed in his next endeavor.' On Thursday, June 12, at 5:30 p.m., the Senate Republican Caucus will hold an online caucus meeting to elect its next Minority Leader. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
