Can The Government Mandate that YOU Buy...

MTT TL · June 28, 2012, 07:15 PM

.... Arms and Ammunition?

I only ask because I have never really given it much thought and saw this today:

Quote:

3 The examples of other congressional mandates cited by JUSTICE GINSBURG, post, at 35, n. 10 (opinion concurring in part, concurring in judgment in part, and dissenting in part), are not to the contrary. Each of those mandates—to report for jury duty, to register for the draft, to purchase firearms in anticipation of militia service, to exchange gold currency for paper currency, and to file a tax return—are based on constitutional provisions other than the Commerce Clause.

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions...11-393c3a2.pdf

and it made me wonder....

BarryLee · June 28, 2012, 07:29 PM

They do in Kennesaw , Georgia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennesaw,_Georgia#Gun_law

KyJim · June 28, 2012, 07:33 PM

They can definitely assess a very high tax for those who don't buy guns and ammo and then throw you in jail for not paying your taxes -- that's as of today.

sigcurious · June 28, 2012, 07:47 PM

I don't know if they can, but I'm sure a lot of husbands wouldn't mind showing that bit of text to their wives. "But honey, the government says I have to buy this new <insert desired firearm here>"

More seriously though, from that excerpt it seems like they could only mandate it under specific conditions, such as a general call to arms cause we've been invaded and the regular military/reserves/national guard aren't enough, and there being a need for militias.

Chettt · June 28, 2012, 09:36 PM

After today's ruling I think we are more likely to see high taxes on firearms and ammunition. A $1,000 tax on each new gun, a $1 tax on each round regardless of caliber etc.

The govenment can tax anything anyway they wish.

Bartholomew Roberts · June 28, 2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

They can definitely assess a very high tax for those who don't buy guns and ammo and then throw you in jail for not paying your taxes -- that's as of today.

Actually, the Roberts opinion today did say that a high tax intended to limit choice was not a valid tax.

**Glenn E. Meyer** · June 28, 2012, 09:41 PM

Beware my friends. We are discussing how we will deal with today's decisions and trying to sneak past us - Release the Hounds!

MTT TL · June 28, 2012, 09:52 PM

I am not interested in discussing the rest of the decision. I just found it an odd concept.

I know that the Constitution particularly provides for providing for the common defense in the preamble. The idea that I must do a thing for the government simply for being a living adult is a concept I am having trouble wrapping my head around.

**Tom Servo** · June 28, 2012, 10:01 PM

Quote:

They do in Kennesaw , Georgia...

Actually, the law in Kennesaw isn't enforced. It's there for symbolism.

An attempt to enforce it would probably pose 4th Amendment problems.

**Glenn E. Meyer** · June 29, 2012, 11:06 AM

Closed as someone violated our rules and note about Obama care.

Heavy infractions given.

Glenn

June 28, 2012, 07:29 PM	#2
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 2,097	They do in Kennesaw , Georgia... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennesaw,_Georgia#Gun_law __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

June 28, 2012, 07:33 PM	#3
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 6,504	They can definitely assess a very high tax for those who don't buy guns and ammo and then throw you in jail for not paying your taxes -- that's as of today. __________________ Jim's Rules of Carry: 1. Any gun is better than no gun. 2. A gun that is reliable is better than a gun that is not. 3. A hole in the right place is better than a hole in the wrong place. 4. A bigger hole is a better hole.

June 28, 2012, 09:41 PM	#7
Glenn E. Meyer Staff Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 13,138	Beware my friends. We are discussing how we will deal with today's decisions and trying to sneak past us - Release the Hounds! __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. http://www.teddytactical.com/archive...05_Feature.htm Being an Academic Shooter http://www.teddytactical.com/archive...11_Feature.htm Being an Active Shooter

June 28, 2012, 09:52 PM	#8
MTT TL Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2009 Location: The City of Thi Posts: 1,582	I am not interested in discussing the rest of the decision. I just found it an odd concept. I know that the Constitution particularly provides for providing for the common defense in the preamble. The idea that I must do a thing for the government simply for being a living adult is a concept I am having trouble wrapping my head around. __________________ Proxima est Mors, Malum Nullum adhibit Misericordiam

June 29, 2012, 11:06 AM	#10
Glenn E. Meyer Staff Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 13,138	Closed as someone violated our rules and note about Obama care. Heavy infractions given. Glenn __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. http://www.teddytactical.com/archive...05_Feature.htm Being an Academic Shooter http://www.teddytactical.com/archive...11_Feature.htm Being an Active Shooter

June 28, 2012, 07:47 PM	#4
sigcurious Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2011 Posts: 1,629	I don't know if they can, but I'm sure a lot of husbands wouldn't mind showing that bit of text to their wives. "But honey, the government says I have to buy this new <insert desired firearm here>" More seriously though, from that excerpt it seems like they could only mandate it under specific conditions, such as a general call to arms cause we've been invaded and the regular military/reserves/national guard aren't enough, and there being a need for militias.

June 28, 2012, 09:36 PM	#5
Chettt Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2006 Posts: 201	After today's ruling I think we are more likely to see high taxes on firearms and ammunition. A $1,000 tax on each new gun, a $1 tax on each round regardless of caliber etc. The govenment can tax anything anyway they wish.