Proposed Tax on Deadly Weapons
Hon. T. U. Sisson has proposed an amendment to the Payne Tariff Bill placing a tax of two dollars on every deadly weapon manufactured, or sold or stored in any warehouse, factory, storehouse, or any other place for sale, within the United States, by whatever name such deadly weapon may be called. The proposed amendment names all the instruments covered under the name of deadly weapon, such as pistols, dirk knives, Bowie knives, brass knuckles, etc. It is also planned to put a tax of one-tenth of one per cent on each cartridge of 22 caliber or less, and one fifth of one per cent on those above 22 caliber. An exemption is made on all arms and cartridges sold to the United States and to the different states for their militia. This is a good proposition as it will be a tax on an evil and not on a good. As Mr. Sisson says, it will put some burden of the maintenance of government upon the lawless man, and not all upon the law-abiding man. He asks, “Why should not the man engaged in the infamous business of manufacturing deadly weapons, and inducing our boys to purchase them, pay some of the expense of the government?” “Let us tax pistols, not plows. Let us tax dirk knives, not disk harrows. Let us tax pistol cartridges, not corn-planters.” “If the law-abiding men and women throughout the country would take this matter up and agitate it, Congress would move. If all the good men in America, who believe in placing a tax upon deadly weapons, would write to their congressmen and senators, the mails would be loaded down.” We hope enough interest will be shown by the people in this matter to produce some good results. Mr. Sisson proposes to keep pushing the matter until it receives the attention of Congress; and meanwhile every good citizen can aid him by bringing what influence he can to bear at Washington.