U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) recently introduced two pieces of legislation to combat gun violence by establishing gun manufacturer accountability.
The Firearm Industry Fairness Act would tax firearm manufacturers producing semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines at a rate of 20 percent on all revenue—not just the revenue from the sales of those specific products.
Additionally, the Firearm Industry Crime and Trafficking Accountability Act ensures that firearm manufacturers are held accountable for the widespread criminal misuse of their products.
“Last year, firearms cut short the lives of over 48,000 Americans,” Maloney said. “Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children in our country. It’s clear that unless Congress acts, gun manufacturer CEOs will continue to put profits over people, which is why it is critical that we pass these two pieces of legislation. My message is clear—if you continue to sell dangerous weapons of war to civilians, your cost of doing business will go up.”
Maloney said there is no reason that an assault weapon used in mass shootings should be taxed at the same rate as a family hunting rifle or that a gun manufacturer should be allowed to ignore the crimes committed with their products.
“Gun manufacturers must bear the cost of gun violence in this country, and as Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, that is exactly what I am doing,” Maloney said.