As the Nov. 5 election approaches, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners encourages voters to reject Proposition KK. During a regular Business Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Board unanimously approved a resolution opposing the ballot measure.
Proposition KK will appear on the November ballot statewide, asking voters to add a 6.5% excise tax on the manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition beginning April 1, 2025.
The Board contends that the taxation of a fundamental Constitutional right, such as the 2nd Amendment, is a violation of that right and that taxation of Constitutional rights other than the right to keep and bear arms has been roundly and consistently repudiated and/or disapproved by U.S. courts, including the Supreme Court.
“We don’t tax fundamental Constitutional rights,” said Commissioner George Teal. “We don’t tax people to vote. I very much see this proposition like a poll tax. It’s a tax on our fundamental right to engage in a constitutional duty, a constitutional right that we all have.”
“I was part of the Board of County Commissioners when we declared Douglas County a constitutional county,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon. “We no doubt hold the right of free citizens to defend themselves against tyranny as a fundamental right.”
“There are millions of gun owners in this country, and they are law-abiding citizens,” said Commissioner Lora Thomas. “This county has funded millions of dollars in mental health services. By approving this resolution, we’re not saying we don’t support people who need these services. What we are saying is that it’s wrong to tax law-abiding citizens for exercising their constitutional rights.”