BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

St. Lawrence County Legislators are opposing the state’s plan to charge a new tax on ammunition.

The bill proposed by Senators Andrew Gounardes, D-Brooklyn, and Assemblywoman Pat Fahy, D-Albany, would charge a 2 cent tax .22 caliber rounds and 5 cents on all other bullets.

Revenues generated by the tax would apparently be used to research gun violence studies by the State Department of Health.

Such taxes aren’t completely unheard of. Seattle Washington and Cook County, Illinois both impose taxes on ammunition, according to various news reports.

The resolution was brought forward by St. Lawrence County legislator Rick Perkins and supported by most of the legislature. Margaret Haggard was the sole no-vote on the measure.

Legislator Kevin Acres said New York is challenging the Second Amendment rights on a near daily basis.

He said that the tax may seem innocuous, but said the state’s goal is to take away guns from people.

“That’s not what our Constitution stands for and we will continue to fight here in St. Lawrence County. Continue to fight for the rights of our Second Amendment,” he said.

Legislator Larry Denesha said it amounts to yet another tax on law-abiding citizens.

Legislator Dave Forsythe pointed out that the tax, while some may consider small now, is likely to creep up overtime.

“It starts out so easy. It starts out at 2 cents per casing. Years ago New York State started a law enforcement fee of $1 per registered motor vehicle, now it’s up to $10 per vehicle in New York State and that's exactly what this will do. Nobody will know where that money goes but it will start at 2 cents and it will increase yearly or every other year without a doubt,” he said.

Haggard said she supports the Second Amendment but not without limits.

She said she has faith the money collected from the tax will go toward gun violence research.

“I’m going to vote no against this and I do want to make it clear that I’m not asking for anybody to have their guns taken away,” she said.

Chairman William Sheridan also spoke in favor of the resolution opposing the tax.