LEXINGTON, Ky. — The gun debate will enter a new phase as President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
What You Need To Know
- Owner of JDM Gunsmithing Josh McFadden reacts to Biden's gun proposal
- McFadden says firearms tax would "primarily affect lower and middle class folks"
- Biden's plan also calls to expand on the National Firearms Act by potentially requiring the registration of assault weapons such as semi-automatic firearms
- Right now, machine guns, silencers, short-barrel rifles all require a background check, registration with a $200 tax on each piece
He has proposed a lengthy plan, intending to expand on regulations in what some are calling more gun restrictions.
“I think it’s going to cause a lot of hurt and discontent among shooters and among folks that own firearms,” said Josh McFadden. He’s the owner of JDM Gunsmithing.
The Lexington owner is voicing his concerns about Biden’s gun proposal.
“It would primarily affect lower and middle class folks,” McFadden said. “Those that are wealthy and rich might not have a problem at all paying $200 tax per firearm and or for each magazine and this is part of this. Each magazine would also incur a registration and a $200 tax under this plan.”
Biden’s proposal is multifaceted. One portion calls to expand on the National Firearms Act by potentially requiring the registration of assault weapons such as semi-automatic firearms.
Right now, machine guns, silencers, and short-barrel rifles all require a background check and registration with a $200 tax on each piece through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“At the individual level, I think it’s a very difficult thing for people to be expected to pay a $200 tax per weapon,” said Mark Thornton with the Mises Institute in Alabama. It’s a nonprofit foundation that focuses on economic education.
“That’s a lot of money for people who don’t have a job, are behind in their mortgage, are behind in the rental payments. This is a difficult time for people,” Thornton said.
While it’s too early to say the likelihood of these measures becoming a law, Thornton points out Kentucky lawmakers could raise similar concerns.
“Your senators in Kentucky have enough influence to lure some of the moderate remaining Democrats to oppose this kind of measure, so I’m not sure how far the Biden Administration is going to push this,” Thornton said.
Ultimately, whether this registration expands the National Firearms Act or not, McFadden said he’s seen his customers against the idea.
“Gun owners are not going to be up for that,” McFadden said.
Biden's proposal also calls for a government buyback program for anyone not wanting to register under the National Firearms Act.