Subject: Re: Reminder - You are your own first responder
But you can't single them out for a specific tax, especially if one of the real purposes of the tax is an effort to impinge the protected activity.

It's my right to ingest tobacco, marijuana and alcohol. I also incur excise taxes that have been increased over time.

The first question to be answered when designing an excise tax is how to define the appropriate tax base. For most excise taxes, the base should be the harm or cost-causing element because that best internalizes a negative externality.

The "harm or cost-causing element" of guns and ammo is undeniable. The tobacco settlements are twofold; 1)to impinge the behavior and 2) to cover the healthcare costs the genpop must bear.

We have the right to smoke and drink and shoot. With rights come responsibilities. What's the difference?