Subcommittee advances 11% manufacturer excise on firearms and ammunition to raise funds for gun-violence prevention

The House Finance Subcommittee No. 2 voted to report House Bill 919 as substituted and amended after debate over constitutionality, administrative mechanics and the policy goal of funding gun‑violence prevention.

Delegate Lopez, the bill’s patron, described the substitute as an 11% excise tax on manufacturers that would not apply to federal, state or local law‑enforcement agencies. She said proceeds would be distributed “to gun violence and community safety efforts in the Commonwealth,” and estimated the tax could bring roughly $69 to $70 million a year.

Supporters pointed to public‑health and community‑safety costs. David Mills of Giffords said directing new dollars to community violence intervention “brings badly needed resources” to rising local needs. Laurie Haas of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions cited research estimating large annual costs of gun violence to the commonwealth.

Opponents included industry groups and gun‑rights advocates who said the tax would be passed on to consumers and could be challenged in court. Testimony raised administrative questions about whether manufacturers or dealers would remit tax, and whether dealer discounts for collection would apply.

The chair offered a friendly amendment to delay enactment to July 1, 2027, to accommodate information‑technology and administrative timing; the patron accepted and the subcommittee approved the delay. The clerk recorded the committee report: HB919 as substituted and amended was reported by vote (transcript: 7 to 2). Next steps: HB919 advances to the full committee for further consideration and potential floor action.