Question For My Maine Reader(s)

Are you TRYING to become Northern Massachusetts?

Gun tax proposed in court safety plan

BANGOR - A gun and ammunition tax that would create a fund to increase security at the state's courthouses has been proposed by several members of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee. The 7 percent tax would be in addition to the 5 percent state sales tax that consumers already pay when they buy guns and ammunition from licensed dealers in the state.

George Smith, executive director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, said on Monday that while the organization supports improved security at courthouses, it would oppose the bill.

"Making law abiding citizens who are gun owners pay the entire cost of something that serves all the people is the wrong approach," he said. "I can't see any justification in this particular funding source. Why not knives and other items?"

[snip]

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Deborah L. Pelletier-Simpson, D-Auburn, said on Monday that she is very concerned about court safety and believes the bill will help focus attention on the need for full-time screening in the state's busiest courthouses.

"We need to do something before we have a person shot in our courts," she said. "We are not protecting our judges or our citizens who go there."

"Before we have a person shot"? So, you wish to levy a tax against the people who are the least responsible for a situation that may, in fact, never materialize? Sounds like Massachusetts-style "common-sense" gun control legislation coming down up the Pike if you ask me.

Pelletier-Simpson said that she chose to tax firearms rather than other potential weapons such as knives, because as a victim of domestic violence she believes guns are deadlier.

Well, Ms. Pelletier-Simpson, as a victim of domestic liberal fuckwit politicians, I believe you are a delusional idiot. Your line of "thinking" here would have the state fund a crackdown on aggressive/drunk drivers by imposing a surcharge on all drivers with clean driving records. This is so far removed from reality, it's laughable.

This asinine piece of legislation will serve but one purpose, it will force Maine gunshop owners out of business as their loyal customers jump ship and head west into New Hampshire for all their future firearms needs. Sorry, kids, Daddy had to close the store and go on food stamps, because some ignorant, socialist ninny up in Augusta got her panties all in a twist over nothing.

Not that I'd expect an ideologically-blinded hack such as herself to see the dung through the flies. And, hey, it's not as though she lacks the background necessary to develop a thorough understanding of and to formulate valid opinions on this matter. After all, she IS a restaurant manager.

Welcome to the Spitlist*, Deborah.

(link via KABA)

* People on whom I wouldn't waste a perfectly good mouthful of spit.