PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – A proposal in Annapolis that would create an 11 percent excise tax on firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition is drawing opposition on the Eastern Shore from Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli and a Princess Anne sporting goods owner, who say the measure would hurt legal buyers and small businesses.
Senate Bill 118, sponsored by Sen. Joanne Benson, would apply the tax to certain gross receipts of federally licensed firearms dealers and direct the revenue to programs including the Maryland Violence Intervention Program, the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention, the Survivors of Homicide Victims Program and trauma care funds including Shock Trauma.
Crisafulli said he does not believe the tax would reduce gun violence because, in his view, people committing gun crimes are typically not buying firearms through legal retail channels in the first place. He said the added tax would instead fall on Marylanders who purchase guns, ammunition and accessories legally…