New California Law Places Additional Taxes on Guns, Ammunition to Pay for School Security

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has recently signed a new law to add additional taxes to guns and ammunition sales in the state to help pay for school security. That’s according to the Associated Press.

The law will add a 11 percent state tax on guns and ammunition. That’s in addition to the 10 or 11 percent federal tax on both items, depending on the type of gun. California is the only state with a separate tax on guns and ammunition.

Funds from the taxes will pay for security improvements at public schools along with violence prevention programs. The programs will also be targeted toward young people in gangs.

Newsom signed more than two dozen other gun control measures including a law that bans people from carrying guns in 26 places including parks, playgrounds, banks and zoos, unless the owner puts places a sign saying that guns are allowed.

The California Rifle and Pistol Association has already sued to block that law.

About the Author

Brent Dirks is senior editor for Security Today and Campus Security Today magazines.

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