RIFLE Act Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act
Impact
By repealing the firearm transfer tax, HB 790 could significantly affect how firearms are bought and sold in the United States. This change may encourage more transactions in the firearms market by reducing costs for buyers who would have otherwise faced taxation during transfers. Additionally, it aligns with a broader push by certain lawmakers and advocacy groups to remove perceived barriers to gun ownership and transfer, thus potentially increasing gun ownership rates among the public.
Summary
House Bill 790, titled the 'Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act' or the 'RIFLE Act', aims to repeal the firearm transfer tax established under the Internal Revenue Code. This act seeks to eliminate a specific form of taxation that applies to the transfer of certain firearms, which proponents argue is an infringement on Second Amendment rights. The bill has been introduced to promote the right to bear arms without additional financial burdens related to firearm purchases and transfers.
Contention
The bill has sparked notable contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters of the bill argue that repealing the firearm transfer tax supports personal freedoms and upholds the constitutional right to bear arms without government interference. Conversely, opponents worry that the removal of this tax may undermine regulatory efforts designed to ensure responsible ownership and transfer of firearms, thereby raising concerns regarding public safety and the facilitation of illegal arms distribution. Additionally, there is a fear that repealing taxes could deprive states of needed revenue that supports law enforcement and public safety initiatives.
Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act of 2023 This bill removes short-barreled rifles (barrels of less than 16 inches in length) from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also eliminates the prohibition on the transportation of such rifles in interstate commerce and treats persons who acquire or possess a short-barreled rifle as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for such rifle where such requirements are determined by reference to the National Firearms Act. The bill preempts state or local laws that impose a tax or recordkeeping requirements on short-barreled rifles. The Department of Justice must destroy records relating to the registration of certain rifles within one year after the enactment of this bill.