In a direct challenge to state and local governments imposing additional costs on gun ownership, Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX) has reintroduced the No User Fees for Gun Owners Act. The bill aims to prohibit state and local governments from requiring additional taxes, user fees, or liability insurance as a condition for owning firearms. Jackson argues that such financial barriers infringe on the Second Amendment, making it harder for everyday Americans to exercise their constitutional rights.
“The radical Left has been trying to chip away at our Constitutional rights for years, particularly the right to bear arms,” Jackson stated in his press release. He emphasized that his bill would prevent anti-gun politicians from implementing fees and restrictions designed to discourage gun ownership.
Fighting Back Against Burdensome Gun Laws
According to Jackson Bakich of Texas Politics, Jackson’s bill directly targets laws like the one passed in San Jose, California, in 2022. That law required gun owners to pay an annual fee and purchase liability insurance to cover potential damages caused by their firearms. Jackson believes these requirements set a dangerous precedent, allowing governments to financially punish gun owners for exercising a constitutional right.
The congressman made it clear that his bill would prevent other cities and states from following San Jose’s lead. With President Donald Trump back in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, Jackson sees this as the perfect opportunity to reinforce the Second Amendment and eliminate unconstitutional financial barriers to gun ownership.
A Constitutional Right Shouldn’t Come With a Price Tag
Troy, host of the 2A News Now YouTube channel, voiced strong support for Jackson’s bill, emphasizing the unfair taxation of a constitutional right.
“A constitutional right shouldn’t be taxed,” Troy argued. He pointed out that the federal government already charges a 10-11% tax on firearms, and states like California and Colorado pile on even more. California, for example, imposes an additional 11% tax on firearms and ammunition, making gun ownership unnecessarily expensive for law-abiding citizens.
Troy also highlighted how some cities, like San Jose, have taken it even further, requiring annual fees and insurance policies just to own a firearm legally. “They’ve lost their freaking mind,” he said bluntly. “This bill would put a stop to local and state governments punishing people for wanting to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
How the Bill Works
The text of the No User Fees for Gun Owners Act makes its intent clear:
- State and local governments cannot impose taxes, user fees, or insurance requirements as a condition of firearm ownership.
- A general sales tax may still apply, but only if it is applied to firearms at the same rate as other goods and services.
- These protections extend to handguns, rifles, revolvers, and ammunition.
Jackson’s bill already has 38 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, a sign that there is strong conservative support for eliminating additional financial burdens on gun owners.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
If passed, this bill would set a national precedent, preventing future attempts by states and cities to regulate gun ownership through financial means. While only a few states currently impose additional taxes or fees on firearms, Jackson’s supporters argue that this trend could spread if left unchecked.
Troy pointed out that anti-gun legislators will always look for ways to make firearm ownership more difficult. If they can’t outright ban guns due to the Supreme Court’s rulings in cases like Heller and Bruen, they will find loopholes by making it financially prohibitive for people to own them.
“This bill needs to get passed so people don’t have to worry about this crap anymore,” Troy said. “These Democrat-run states and cities adding extra taxes to a constitutional right is unconstitutional in itself.”
The NRA Backs the Legislation
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has officially endorsed Jackson’s bill, reinforcing its potential impact on gun rights nationwide. The NRA has long argued that financial restrictions on gun ownership are nothing more than backdoor gun control, disproportionately affecting working-class Americans who may struggle to afford the added costs.
By eliminating these fees and insurance requirements, the bill would ensure that every American, regardless of income level, can exercise their Second Amendment rights without financial obstacles.
How This Bill Could Shape the Future of Gun Rights
With a Republican-controlled Congress, Jackson believes the bill has a real chance of becoming law. If successful, it could prevent cities and states from using bureaucratic loopholes to suppress gun ownership through excessive costs and paperwork.
However, opponents of the bill – mostly Democrats and gun control advocates – are likely to argue that liability insurance requirements promote public safety by ensuring gun owners are financially responsible for accidental shootings. They may also claim that removing taxes on guns will reduce revenue for gun violence prevention programs.
Still, Jackson and his supporters argue that these concerns do not justify infringing on a constitutional right. As Jackson Bakich noted in his article, the Founding Fathers never intended for Americans to have to pay fees to exercise their rights.
Will It Pass?
The bill’s success will depend on support from both chambers of Congress and the ability to overcome expected opposition from anti-gun legislators. Given the political landscape, the bill could become a major test for how far the current administration is willing to go in protecting Second Amendment rights.
If it moves forward, it could reshape how gun laws are approached in states with restrictive firearm policies. But if it fails, it could signal a growing divide in how different regions of the U.S. interpret the Second Amendment.
A Win for Gun Owners?
Regardless of political leanings, this bill has the potential to reshape the conversation around gun rights in America. It challenges the idea that owning a firearm should come with additional costs beyond what’s already required for other goods and services.
As Troy put it, “If they can get this passed, it will make it easier for people to purchase firearms and ammunition without worrying about extra financial burdens. This is about protecting our rights, plain and simple.”
What Happens Next?
Jackson’s bill will move through Congress in the coming months, facing debate and potential amendments. If it gains momentum, it could become one of the most impactful Second Amendment laws in recent years.
For now, gun rights advocates are watching closely and urging lawmakers to support the bill, arguing that no American should have to pay extra just to exercise a fundamental right.
Where do Restrictions End?
Whether you support or oppose gun control, this bill raises an important question: Should the government be able to place financial restrictions on a constitutional right? If so, where does it end? If taxes, fees, and insurance mandates can be used to restrict gun ownership, what’s to stop similar tactics from being applied to other rights, like free speech or religious expression? Supporters argue that the Second Amendment should be treated like any other fundamental right, not something that only the wealthy can afford to exercise. Meanwhile, opponents will likely continue pushing for creative ways to regulate firearms, even if direct bans are unconstitutional.
The outcome of this bill could set a national precedent, determining whether financial obstacles remain a legitimate tool for gun control or an unconstitutional infringement on individual freedoms.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa writes about homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Whether it’s canning vegetables or setting up a rainwater harvesting system, Lisa’s goal is to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.