The Washington Supreme Court on Aug. 10 upheld a 2015 Seattle tax on firearms and ammunition that’s used to directly fund research about gun violence.
The tax — a $25 charge on each firearm sale and a 2- to 5-cent charge on each round of ammunition — was approved by the Seattle City Council in August 2015. It was challenged in King County Superior Court where it was upheld.
“I’m thrilled to see our Supreme Court so strongly uphold Seattle’s Gun Violence Tax,” said Councilmember Tim Burgess.
Gun violence costs the city and King County $180 million per year, Burgess said. Seattle’s tax represents the first local attempt to directly fund gun violence research, which has been opposed by organizations such as the National Rifle Association.
The tax raised less than $200,000 in its first year, and the city waited to use that money until the conclusion of the lawsuit, according to The Seattle Times.
Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Twitter @AshleyA_RC
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