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Hillary in 1993: Let's Double the the Gun Tax

Editor's Note: It's difficult at times to tell just where a politician stands on any hot-button issue. It's especially difficult in election cycles. Today, our editorial space is on loan to Americans for Tax Reform to address a single question: Is Hillary Rodham Clinton really as anti-gun as her political opponents characterize her? We think their research helps clarify once and for all her long-established opposition to the Second Amendment and gun rights.

WASHINGTON — Americans for Tax Reform has released more evidence of Hillary Clinton's long held desire to impose new and higher gun taxes.

Previously, ATR's HighTaxHillary.com exposed her 1993 endorsement of a new 25 percent national retail sales tax on guns.

But unreported since 1993 is Clinton's support for a doubling of the current federal excise tax on guns. In a closed-door meeting, she told then-Rep. Mel Reynolds (D-Ill.) that his bill to double the tax was a "great idea."

As reported by the Chicago Tribune on March 19, 1993:

Rep. Mel Reynolds said Thursday that Hillary Rodham Clinton was "very enthusiastic" about his proposal to increase the federal excise tax on guns as a way of raising revenue for health care.

Clinton said "she thought it was a great idea, something she agreed with," the Chicago Democrat reported after a 25-minute meeting with the first lady at his office.

The article added:

Reynolds proposed legislation last month that would boost the current 10 percent excise tax on handguns and 11 percent tax on all other firearms to 20 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

The bill didn't go anywhere. But Clinton's support for a doubling of the gun tax is another disturbing sign of her deep seated hostility to the Second Amendment.

Her disdain is evident in video footage of her endorsement of a 25 percent national retail sales tax on guns. In sworn congressional testimony, Clinton is seen nodding fiercely as she is asked about it.

Her response: "I am all for that."

She added: "I am speaking personally, but I feel very strongly about that."

In her 2016 primary campaign, Clinton relentlessly attacked Bernie Sanders for his 1990s gun votes, staking out a position to the left of Sanders on gun control. Her own 1993 endorsement of the 25 percent national retail sales tax on guns was widely reported at the time.

From the Associated Press on Oct. 1, 1993:

Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J., picked up Mrs. Clinton's support for his idea of slapping stiff taxes on "purveyors of violence:" a 25 percent sales tax on guns and $2,500 license fees for gun dealers.

"Speaking personally ... I'm all for that," said the first lady. But she stressed she was just speaking for herself.

"Well, let me say that there is no more important personal endorsement in the country today, and I thank you very much," said a pleased-as-punch Bradley.

Here's the Washington Post on Oct. 1, 1993:

"I'm all for it," she declared in a response to a suggestion by Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.) that the Congress should impose a 25 percent sales tax on handguns to "tax directly the purveyors of violence."

On Sept. 30, 1993, NBC Nightly News reported the incident as follows:

Others urge a hefty sales tax on guns, and much higher fees for gun dealers. Today, they got a powerful ally.

Ms. HILLARY CLINTON: I'm all for that. I just don't know what else we're going to do to try to figure out how to get some handle on this violence.

The Bill Clinton White House made it clear that Hillary's 25 percent gun tax endorsement was hers and hers alone, as shown by the Oct. 1, 1993 White House press briefing transcript:

Q: "Do you know if the President supports the First Lady's endorsement of an idea yesterday by Senator Bradley that there be a 25 percent tax on the sale of guns in America?"

WH Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers: "Well, as you know, she was expressing her opinion."

Clinton's gun tax endorsements are especially troubling considering the recent imposition of gun taxes in Seattle, Cook County in Illinois, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory.

Seattle imposes a tax of $25 per gun, as well as an ammunition tax of two or five cents per round. The taxes have already driven gun dealers out of the city. Cook County imposes a $25 per gun tax and a one cent to five cent tax per round of ammunition. The Northern Mariana Islands imposes a $1,000 per gun tax. Yes, one thousand dollars per gun. The governor there says the tax should serve as a "role model" for U.S. states.

"Hillary and the Left are now seeking to tax the Second Amendment out of existence," said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

"Over the many years, Hillary has endorsed every available effort to limit gun ownership by American citizens through taxes, regulations, and executive orders. One senses a pattern."

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Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases. For more information contact John Kartch at 202-785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.