A Colorado bill proposing an excise tax on gun and ammunition sales is progressing through the state legislature after a significant amendment reduced the tax rate by about half. The bill, which would direct the revenue to fund behavioral health support for veterans and youth, as well as services for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes, passed the Senate Finance Committee in a 4-3 party-line vote on Saturday.
Democratic Senator Kyle Mullica, the swing vote and chair of the committee, supported the revised version after working with the bill’s sponsors to reduce the proposed tax from 11% to 6.5%. Mullica explained that the original tax rate was too steep and placed an unfair burden on gun owners, but the revised rate struck a better balance.
The committee vote came after several days of intense pressure on Mullica from the Democratic Women’s Caucus, a group of 23 lawmakers. The caucus publicly criticized Mullica for delaying the bill’s hearing and suggested he might block it. Mullica refuted this, stating he was taking extra time to find a compromise, not stalling.
The amendment’s reduction in tax revenue—estimated to be about $30 million annually—prompted Mullica to suggest increasing certain court fees to make up the difference. The revised bill aims to hold those who commit crimes involving firearms accountable for part of the funding through additional court fees. This change, proposed to be included in another bill updating the Crime Victim Compensation Act, would eliminate judges’ ability to waive court fees for some gun-related crimes.
Brie Franklin, head of the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, noted that while legislation reducing court fees for defendants is generally supported, it has led to less funding for victim services. She explained that without new sources of revenue, victim support programs in Colorado, especially in rural areas, could face significant cuts.
Despite its passage through the Senate Finance Committee, the bill has a long way to go. With only three days left in the session, it must quickly pass a full Senate vote, which could happen as early as Tuesday, and then return to the House for approval of the amended tax rate.
Opponents of the bill argue that the excise tax unfairly targets gun owners. Ian Escalante, representing Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, called it a “sin tax” and criticized Mullica on social media for supporting the bill. Escalante’s group argues that law-abiding citizens who purchase firearms for self-defense shouldn’t be burdened with additional taxes.
Mullica, however, defended his position, saying he felt more comfortable with the revised bill because it shared the financial responsibility with those who commit gun-related crimes. He acknowledged the importance of the programs that the tax would fund and said the compromise was necessary to garner his support.
With its fate still uncertain, the bill’s advocates hope it will make it to the November ballot for voters to decide. If it does not pass through the full Senate, the effort to increase funding for victims’ services could face a significant setback.
