Long-promised legislation on a proposed excise tax on guns and ammunition to fund Maryland’s trauma system was filed late last week.
According to Senate Bill 784 , sponsored by Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel), an 11% excise tax would be imposed on the gross receipts of firearms, firearms accessories and ammunition.
The state’s Trauma Physicians Services Fund, which helps cover costs for medical care by trauma physicians, for Medicaid-enrolled patients and for other trauma related on-call and standby expenses, currently generates $12 million annually primarily through a motor vehicle registration fee. Maryland currently has 10 facilities that are designated as trauma care centers across the state.
An additional $9.5 million was appropriated in the fund for this current fiscal year. Now lawmakers are eyeing additional revenue sources.
When introducing the proposal last month , Elfreth said the state’s shock trauma center in Baltimore saw the percentage of patients with gunshot wounds increase from 5% in 2013 to 10% last year.