Skip to main content

Seattle's Tax On Guns And Ammo Withstands Court Test

caption: Guns line the walls of the firearms reference collection at the Washington Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Enlarge Icon
Guns line the walls of the firearms reference collection at the Washington Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Washington, D.C.
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Seattle’s tax on every gun and bullet sold in the city can stay, a King County Superior Court judge said Tuesday.

Judge Palmer Robinson denied a request by firearms advocates for an injunction against the measure. Approved by the City Council in August, it requires dealers to pay $25 for every gun sold and up to 5 cents for every round of ammunition sold.

The Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation, the National Rifle Association and two Seattle gun stores joined a lawsuit against the city in an attempt to block the tax. In a statement, Second Amendment Foundation said it would appeal the ruling.

Materials submitted with the legislation say the City Budget Office has estimated that the tax could raise up to $500,000 for research on gun violence and prevention programs.

"We established the gun violence tax as a legitimate and appropriate way to raise revenue for gun safety research and prevention programs,” said City Council President Tim Burgess, who sponsored the measure.

Why you can trust KUOW

Get Local Stories

Delivered to your inbox daily, weekly, or monthly.

Explore Newsletters