LOS ANGELES : Council OKs Permit Hike for Gun, Bullet Dealers
The Los Angeles City Council agreed Wednesday to raise business permit taxes for firearms and ammunition sellers as a means of recouping the costs of fighting gun-related crime.
“The use of firearms in the commission of crimes causes a tremendous burden on our communities and great expense to our city’s government in public safety resources needed to combat and control gun-related activity,” said Councilwoman Rita Walters, the motion’s author.
Pending passage of an ordinance, the sale of guns and ammunition will be taxed at the highest business permit tax rate, $5.91 per $1,000 in sales. Now, gun and ammunition sellers are taxed at the “retail sales” rate of $1.48 per $1,000.
The council directed City Atty. James Hahn’s staff to prepare an ordinance for the panel to consider and asked City Clerk Elias Martinez to report on the tax hike’s impact on revenue.
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