With each new mass shooting event, there is a public discussion of gun control. The discussion of genuine policy ideas is hindered by the sanctity of the Second Amendment. Second Amendment advocates deny the role of firearms in these events and claim that sick people cannot be helped.
Rather than continue this charade of a debate, we could do something to impact mental health. This proposal asks for the establishment of new Federal excise tax on commercial sales of firearms and ammunition. These tax revenues would be dedicated directly to mental health care services.
This tax would be in addition to current Federal taxes already in place on firearms and ammunition. This proposal would not conflict with the Constitutional rights of gun owners.