Washington Moms Demand Action, Everytown Applaud Tacoma City Council for Passing an Ammunition and Firearm Tax to Fund Programs to Promote Public Safety and Prevent Gun Violence

The Ordinance Will Create a Tax on Firearms and Ammunition; Revenue Will Fund Programs that Promote Public Safety, Prevent Gun Violence and Offset Costs of Gun Violence in Tacoma

TACOMA, Wash. – The Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement applauding the Tacoma City Council for passing a tax on ammunition and firearms to fund programs that promote public safety, prevent gun violence and help offset the impacts and costs of gun violence in Tacoma.

“I know all too well the pain that comes from a loved one being taken by gun violence,” said Kim Gatbunton, a volunteer with the Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action, and a member of the Everytown Survivor Network, whose son, Joshua, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in 2008.  “We must do all we can to prevent other families from experiencing the devastation of having a loved one taken by gun violence. And beyond that, the damage inflicted by gun violence goes beyond these lives taken from us — all city residents pay the cost. It’s time we invest in evidence-informed violence intervention programs that identify and invest in the people and places at the highest risk of being involved in gun violence. With increased revenue, the city can do just that.” 

The ordinance will create a tax on firearms and ammunition of $25 per firearm sold at retail, 2 cents per round of ammunition .22 caliber or less, and 5 cents per round of other ammunition sold at retail. The revenue raised will be used for funding programs that promote public safety, prevent gun violence and help offset the impacts and costs of gun violence in the City of Tacoma.  Revenue raised from the new tax should be dedicated to community-based violence and evidence-informed violence intervention and prevention programs that identify and invest in the people and places at the highest risk of being involved in gun violence. 

On average, 96 people die by gun in Pierce County each year, 25 of them by gun homicide. You can learn more about gun violence in American cities here.