From “County tax on guns, ammo a reasonable idea” an editorial in the Chicago Sun-Times

“Someone standing at the intersection can see Stroger Hospital to the east, where many gunshot victims are treated; the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center to the south, where many shooters are incarcerated, and the Cook County medical examiner’s office to the west, where many shooting victims lie dead. That intersection would be a good spot to reflect on the huge cost of Chicago’s gun violence and why Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposal for a tax on guns and ammunition is more than reasonable. Trying to close a $115 million gap in the 2013 budget she will present next week, Preckwinkle has said she favors a tax on guns and ammunition that would help offset the huge cost to the county of gun violence.” 

Questions for Consideration

How can a city best regulate crime and violence? Do you think taxing bullets and ammunition can reduce violence, why or why not? How might this tax make people safer? What are its shortcomings? What can we do in our own communities to reduce the problem of violence and crime?

Want to learn more?

• Sin Tax On Firearms And Ammunition Latest Ploy By Cook County Board To Punish Hunters And Sportsmen
• Cook County Violence Tax: Tony Preckwinkle Says Plan Could Raise Money, Reduce Crime
• Kadner: Tax on guns, ammo won’t stop violence
• Critics take aim at Preckwinkle bullet tax 
• Local gun store owner weighs in on Cook County idea to tax guns, ammo