Obama’s $50 Gun Tax/Registration
Jun 18 2009
Yet Another Incorrect Gun Control Email
BotB Verdict
Average Number of Times Received Daily at MOAA: 7
“A half-truth is a whole lie” – Yiddish Proverb
Summary
A recycled email myth that originally made the rounds in 2000 has been reformated for a new Congress and a new President. The email states that you must act urgently to stop a bill that would levy a $50 tax on your 2009 filing for any handgun that you own. Additionally, the bill would make you list all handguns and, just for good measure, make you provide a sample of your fingerprint identification.
The Email
Unbelievable-Obama’s $50 gun tax/registration thru2009 1040 tax filing
Senate Bill SB-2099 will,require us to put on our 2009 1040 federal tax form all guns that you have or own. It may require fingerprints and a tax of $50 per gun.This bill was introduced on Feb.. 24. This bill will become public knowledge 30 days after it is voted into law. This is an amendment to the Internal Revenue Act of 1986. This means that the Finance Committee can pass this without the Senate voting on it at all.
The full text of the proposed amendment is on the U.S. Senate homepage, http://www.senate.gov/ You can find the bill by doing a search by the bill number, SB-2099.
You know who to call; I strongly suggest you do. Please send a copy of this e-mail to every gun owner you know to help STOP this bill!!
Origins
The email has been around since 2000, and the original text was:
Gun owners beware!
Back Door Bill (SB-2099)
Senate Bill SB-2099 will require us to put on our 2000 1040 federal tax Form all guns that you have or own. It may require fingerprints and a tax of $50 per gun. This bill was introduced on Feb. 24. This bill will become public knowledge 30 days after it is voted into law. This is an amendment to the Internal Revenue Act of 1986. This means that the Finance Committee can pass this without the Senate voting on it at all.
The full text of the proposed amendment is on the U.S. Senate homepage: http://www.senate.gov/. You can find the bill by doing a search by the bill number. (SB-2099) You know who to call; I strongly suggest you do. Please send a copy of this e-mail to every gun owner you know to help STOP this bill!!
After President Obama was elected, the email was resurrected and the title was changed to maximize its circulation.
Evaluation
While SB 2099 was introduced in 2000 by Senator Jack Reed, it did not even come close to passing. The summary of the bill, via THOMAS:
Handgun Safety and Registration Act of 2000 – Amends chapter 53 (Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms) of the Internal Revenue Code to, among other things: (1) require the registration of handguns in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record; (2) provide for the sharing of registration information with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies; and (3) provide for the imposition of the five dollar transfer tax on handguns and a $50 tax upon the making of each handgun
When the altered email started making the rounds again, the National Rifle Association issued the following statement:
Friday, May 29, 2009
In the last few weeks, NRA-ILA has received hundreds of e-mails warning us about “SB-2099,” a bill that would supposedly require you to report all your guns on your income tax return every April 15.
Like many rumors, there’s just a grain of truth to this one. Someone’s recycling an old alert, which wasn’t even very accurate when it was new.
There actually was a U.S. Senate bill with that number that would have taxed handguns—nine years ago. It was introduced by anti-gun Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and it would have included handguns under the National Firearms Act’s tax and registration scheme. This has nothing to do with anyone’s Form 1040, of course.
Fortunately, S. 2099 disappeared without any action by the Senate, back when Bill Clinton was still in the White House. We reported about it back then, just as we report about new anti-gun bills every week. Now, it’s time for gun owners to drop this old distraction and focus on the real threats at hand.
This email is another example of preying on fears of ‘backdoor’ legislation with gun control, similar to the fears over CIFTA. But at least there’s some truth to the CIFTA issue and something to watch there. That is not the case with this email, that only seems to grow in circulation as time goes by. The email was Bilge in 2000 and its Bilge now. Nothing has changed except the names used to fire up the base.
Further Reading/Tools
SB-2099
NRA Statement
Urban Legends Page
You Can Help
Remember that forwarding a message you read but are unsure of without checking the available resources helps contribute to the Bilge. Help us battle it, and if you haven’t seen us write one of them up, email it to us here.
I finally decided to write a comment on your blog. I just wanted to say good job. I really enjoy reading your posts.
i didnt have to pay a tax on the rifle i used to kill enemy vietcong and ill be damned if im going to pay a tax on them now.
I go along with Dennis on that. If the tax were used for good it would be great, but like most taxes the people in Washington or states get their paws on most of it.
Yeah, I was very impressed with the NRA on this issue. They got out an official statement when it was brought to their attention and cleared the air. Very good communication on their side.
[...] [...]
where u got your information ? u are wrong ? go to the US Senate and you can see copies of the 2009 Gun Bill to impose the 50 dollar tax !
Yeah, I see it. I also see the 2000 piece of legislation and the fact that neither went through Congress.
If it’s not true now, it will be. It would make perfect sense to a liberal to tax a weapon, and then confiscate it.
Anthony may be right, HB45 and lots of other have been introduced by the communist. or if You prefer the house and senate.
The 2009 bill, just like the one introduced in 2008, is still languishing in committee, where it will more than likely remain until the end of the session. You can follow it’s progress here.
I don’t know if this is true but with Obama deploying US troops to the USA, and the liberals wanting to ban gun ownership, could it be that by having people list their guns on the tax returns, they have a list of who owns guns, and then institure a search and seize of our weapons by the Military? Sound plausible? I wouldn’t put it past the liberals………….Eddie
Eddie, not sure where you received that information but we know of no plans to deploy US troops to the USA beyond normal troop rotations. If you wouldn’t mind sending me what you have at bilge@moaa.org I’d be happy to show it around and find out. Our troops are stretched far too thin right now overseas and there was talk of raising a home based force to supplement the National Guard for natural disasters (since so many NG/R troops are deployed overseas), but that has not gone anywhere.
To take over the country and put Conservatives in the FEMA camps, They would pull troups out of the war. The liberals agree with the terrorists anyway.
I sorry, did I just say that, I take it back.
Oh yes, the FEMA camps. Scott, since you don’t provide your full name and your email is not in our membership database I’m going to assume you are not a member of MOAA. Who do you suppose would be leading the effort to place American citizens in concentration camps? Do you think for a second that our military would take part in anything like that on our soil to our people? The FEMA camp story is a hoax, and has been debunked thoroughly.
obama, liberals, and yes I do. You debunked the the SB 2099 and that is right, but the house and senate bills are just as bad and very close to the same thing. So it is more true than not. Can You name a communist country that lets it’s subjects have guns. debunk that.
And You are right, I do not now and will not in the future belong to the MOAA.
I will not bother You again, Just like a liberal to shut up people that do not agree with them, and make fun of them.
First, I’m not a liberal but that shouldn’t matter here. Second, shutting you up would have been to delete your comments, which I have not done. Third, I don’t believe I made fun of you, I was only pointing out that American soldiers and commanders would be resistant to the idea of rounding up fellow citizens and putting them into FEMA camps. Your opinions are welcome, but it is my duty to see that what you are saying is addressed.
Look up HB-45 introduced in Jan 2009. This will scare you when you just read the last 4 words of the header. Then it get’s worse. Taxes, registration and oh yea.. Mandatory compliance which includes search without warrant.
HB45 – http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h45/actions_votes
Yep, a major threat. Still in subcommittee since February 8th. Where it will stay just like SB 2009. Because NOBODY is going to support it. Stop spreading fear, Obama is not going to take your guns.
HB45 will never pass simply because it totally disregards not just one, but two constitutional amendments. The American people wouldnt stand for it, liberals or conservatives, and Obama cant do it because not even he can afford that kind of bad press. We are protected in our rights to bare arms, and were protected from illegal search and seizure by the government.
If Obama did decide he could send in federal agents to illegally search your home and illegally seize evidence, no matter what hes trying to seize, liberals arent going to be for that, i dont see how one could believe that they would.
Obama is a liar and wont be a good president, but he certainly wont be the worst. Unfortunately we just happen to be at a point where we are unable to move forward due to our country being a hop away from collapsing. 10 years ago we might have been able to bring the world to new heights, but we messed that up and now we have to struggle just to stay afloat. Maybe the next few presidents will be able to do some good in the world, but we really should consider abolishing the two party system, since obviously neither democrats nor republicans know what they’re doing.
Everyone keeps saying we are protected by the constitution and the bill of rights. Has no one ever heard of an amendment? A government of the people, by the people, and for the people? Look at some of the laws they pass…. not to different from any communist nation. They tell you who you can marry, where you can smoke, they speak of separation of church and state yet carry a “sin” tax. You are taxed three times on a dollar everytime you work. Isn’t this some of the reasons we had a revolutionary war with England? Tyranny and socialist ways seem to be making their way back into this society. My family has fought for the freedoms and liberties this nation continues to take away for generations. I must admit, the loss of these freedoms disgusts me.
As a member of the armed forces I can reassure you the members of the military would not allow the goverment to take guns from legal gun owners. Most members of the military own guns themselves and consider it their right to have them.
The just passed it you idiots. This story is such a psy-op!
I don’t see any action on either bills, Texas Peat. Can you provide some documentation for your statement?
Where is the proof of this bill passing?
I’ve been looking, but have not seen anything resembling this bill passing. I have seen an increase in the number of emails received in the past week, someone must be looking for some end of year funding…
do what you want and see what happens!!!!
You know I have read all the posts here and I have to say as a combat veteran I am AMAZED at all the people who want to whine about how our freedoms are being taken away but they wont do anything to change. Are you all writing your representatives? Are you voting when it is time? Are you financially backing the underdog you believe to have the voice and the answers you want? Most of the answers are NO. The US military is not going to round up fellow Americans into “camps”. It has happened once in the US. (and if you know your history you will know when) But with public opinion and the media the way it is there is NO WAY it could happen again. These politicians may lie and be sleazy but they are still accountable to the people they serve. If people EDUCATED themselves on what is happening, when, how it is being voted on, and what the effect it would have on them this country would not be wallowing in muck right now. The American people as a whole DO NOT CARE. They are greedy and self serving. The general public knows nothing and they like it that way. If they didn’t they would change. I guess what I am saying is… STOP CRYING and do something about what you are all so upset about. And do it the right way.
Very well said, PJ, thank you.
I have written my reps, I do vote, but what good does it do when most Americans trust the lies the government feeds them with out question? They are blindly strung along to give up their choices as well as mine. So, what do you do when one voice isn’t loud enough for anyone to give a crap about it? I stood beside my brothers and fought. I watched a few friends give their lives. Only to hear all these people at home complain. Where were they? Sitting at home watching on the news. Watching only what the media felt they should see. The one sidedness of the media and our government results in people not seeing the whole truth.
Because people dont WANT to see the truth. They want to live in their make believe world of picket fences and rose gardens. They dont want to see the pain and the war and the diseased and the poor. People see what they want to see; but you are wrong one voice can make a difference. One voice can be heard. One heart, one smile, one idea can change the world. but people have to try…
So you can look this BS of an email up, see that its a pant load of crap AND STILL believe it. The USA is truly a nation with a BUNCH of idiots in it. Oh AND Obamas gonna deploy troops INTO America… wtf!?! If people didnt actuall believe all of this garbage it would actually be funny.
I heard about this bogus legislation when I renewed my hunting license today. Glad I looked it up. I didn’t think it had much truth in it then, and realize it has even less now. thanks for the background.
If I had a nickel for every proposed tax law, I wouldn’t have to spend Jan-April 15 working like a maniac doing returns!
Hope this is bogus. Because if its not, then we are in to it big time. We will, at that time have to take back our government by any means possible. If the second amendment is messed with in any, even a small way the country is on the path to doom. Guns are the way to freedom and even if you never use one, you should own one, just to keep your right so as to preserve your freedom and the future generations to come, from Tyranical supression. If you lose that right, than you lose all rights. For if you can not defend your God given rights, than the government can take anything they want from you. Think about that. Vote for a free country again. Vote them out before they ruin all. Paul
Yes, still a bogus threat and it has no chance of being enacted this year. However, one thing I’m watching closely is the ongoing fight in New Jersey over it’s extremely strict rules regarding gun purchases. Although I personally don’t see how the first court challenge against the restrictions was upheld in appeals court, given the seemingly clear violation of the 2nd Amendment, the question of state interpretation of the amendment is about to go to the Supreme Court (in an unrelating case). Federal laws trump state laws, but interpretations of both the 2nd and 10th amendments are sure to be a large issue in this next session of the Supreme Court. For more information, see:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/05/suspreme.court.new.term/index.html
The case of McDonald v. Chicago, set to be argued in 2010, could be a monumental gun rights case. As there is so much interest in this issue by members, we’ll keep you updated here at Battle of the Bilge, although the issue is out of the official scope of MOAA’s legislative operations.
Hey Scott, regarding your post: “can you name a communist country that let’s it’s citizens own a gun?”
can you name a communist country (period). there are no communist countries. every one is a capitalist now, even china. dont be fooled by the name, after all even Fox calls itself “News”!
Any such request on a 1040 would make liars out of a lot of folks
Who is being penalized by this 50.00 tax on guns people already own or having to file on your 1040 and of all things provide fingerprints. Do you think this will give you insite into all the gangs and criminals who own guns. Like they obtained them legally or even have them registered let alone file income tax. Personally I would not own a gun. But I feel law abiding citizens are being penalized for wanting to use guns for hunting or recreation. Even if they own one just to protect what is theirs. I voted for Obama and I want to see him to succeed but this is a BIG issue for a lot of people who no longer trust him. This is the last thing he needs so early in his presidency.
This is indeed a big issue. But there has been very little done by President Obama on the federal level to warrant a loss of trust in terms of cun control. There is not a single right that you had last year that you do not have this year.
Matthew…good goin’
As a matter of fact, we all have a lot more “rights” than we had a year ago. Obama has been very busy overturning (over 200 now) the abusive “Executive signing orders” put in place by Bush. These orders by Bush, frequently eroded our civil liberties.
Next time someone asks, “what has Obama done in the past year”….tell ‘em, “returning your rights and protecting the Constitution”…
It’s time for the Citizens of the US to do some homework and stop politicians’ (all politicians…conservative/liberal) abusive use of fear to “govern”….
[...] the tax return/$50 fee seems to be a myth.. http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/taxreturns.asp http://www.moaablogs.org/battleofthe…ty_dollar_tax/ the other part about have to have to register firearms and owners is true though.. sorry [...]
Forest and PJ, I 100% agree. Obama has been so busy, tearing the bandaids bush put on the country off and fixing the roots of the problems. Pulling this country out of a massive deficit and not being afraid to tackle a mountain of problems that Bush made and then ran from (Why isnt he being made accountable for the multiple problems he caused with his outright lies). Obama has done more for this country in the 8 months hes been in office than I have sen any president do in my 12 yrs in the US.
However, I am here reading this as I over heard a friend talking about this gun law, not only about the 50$ tax (which is valid is it not, we all pay taxes for our cars, wine, movie tickets, whats 50$?) and why shouldnt people register? What do there people have to hide? HOWEVER, she was up in arms talking about registered gunowners having their children taken from them if they, say, get a DUI, or get in trouble with the law, as yet I cant find any info on this, Matthew, do you know more about this? Thanks.
pip, I’m not sure where the DUI or other law violations come in to play with this bill, but my best guess at the source of the rumor is the ‘Child Access Prevention’ section of the bill which reads:
The penalties of violations are also spelled out:
Another issue that I’ve seen brought up is the fact that the bill would allow for formal inspections to ensure child safety regulations are followed:
But of course the bill is still stuck in limbo (committee) and there has not been any movement on it. I think it is safe to call it a dead bill, just as its predecessors ended up. Thankfully. It would be one of the most polarizing moves Congress could possibly make.
All info obtained from here:
Thanks, I was absolutely sure that something that ridiculous would never be passed in congress and that she was a victim of ‘a little information is dangerous’. I appreciate your info.
the REALLY scary thing is that some of these people could be on a “JURY OF YOUR PEERS’ That possibilty scares the hell out of me. Imagine being on trial for something you didnt do with some of those “inteligent” people deciding your fate!!!
Even more scary is the fact that I still get this email at least once a week.
Just hide guns, and lie about owning them. Place a few in a hidden location only YOU know of. Soon, they WILL come to take away guns, we all know this! HIDE them beforehand people! DONT wait til too late!
Why is it that the BS keeps appearing all the time. The wackoo right wing and the Tea Party keep this stuff going around. Check Snopes and find out the facts.
You’re all a little off. Are you all so racist that you’re manufacturing rumors to hate Obama more? Wake up and stop listening to the idiots on Fox News and Sara “The Head Moron” Palin. Obama is not a secret Muslim born in Kenya.
Please wake up. The second amendment has assured you all have the right to own weapons. If you own more than a few, I think you need to reconsider your existence on the planet. They’re there for protection not aggression. For that minute percentage of you that hunt for food on a regular basis, more power to ya.
Stop the Obama bashing and start realizing that low taxes voted on by a psychotic republican government, did NOT spur economic growth. Instead, low taxes +deficit spending led to a near meltdown of the system. The bank bailout, orchestrated by republicans, saved banks not jobs. The Auto bailout, orchestrated by dems, saved MILLIONS of jobs.
Let’s try and stay in reality and cease the crazy talk which is just a silly cover for hating a black man that happens to be the boss for over 2 more years.
So – since I own more than a few guns I need to reconsider my existence eh?
Sounds like someone very begrudgingly acknowledges my Second Amendment rights and does not consider that perhaps I (1) enjoy shooting and look at it as a sport, (2) I enjoy shooting with a variety of firearms in a variety of circumstances and (3) have some increased confidence that if the need ever arises that my family and I will be able to protect and defend ourselves.
Although I do not understand the passion that many apply to golf, I have no issue with golfer’s decision to do so and to purchase and use a variety of clubs and balls, and to try out their skills on different courses when the opportunity presents itself. It is absolutely the individual’s choice to do it or not – it is after all their time and their money – and their right to use it as they see fit.
So I get it that you like the current President and think he is doing a great job – - we need folks on the far left to offset those on the very far right – thanks for participating. Most of us will be somewhere in the middle, I think I am.
Well said Clark, well said.
I really enjoyed reading all of the comments, I liked seiing diff opinions. 1 if you watched FOX news you would not have anything bad to say about it. 2 I agree that this countries leaders are corrupt on both side dem and republic. 3 Obama hasen’t done anything good or bad he is like the queen of Endland, nothing more than a figure head. Bush did a lot of stupid crap but at least we had a man in office that would fight when 911 went down. Obama would have appologized to those rag heads. True men in this country are a dying breed……
what happened to the right to bear arms. is he a christen or muslim.
I HAVE A VERY BAD FEELING ABOUT OBAMA. I HONESTLY BELIEVE OUR COUNTRY IS IN DEEP TROUBLE LETTING OBAMA GET INTO THE WHITEHOUSE. I HONESTLY DONT BELIEVE HE WAS VOTED IN.I SURE HOPE I AM WRONG ABOUT THIS, BUT IT JUST DOESNT FEEL SAFE ANY MORE WHEN YOU DONT EVEN TRUST YOUR PRESIDENT.GOD….. BLESS AMERICA! AND FORGIVE ALL WHO HAVE LEFT YOU OUT OF THERE LIVES AND TRYING SO HARD TO GET YOU OUT OF ALL THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS WONDERFUL COUNTRY. I BELIEVE THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS SHOULD ALWAYS BE.IF OUR GUNS ARE TAKEN AWAY, WONT THAT MAKE THE SCUMBAG CROOKS HAPPY? !ITS A SHAME THAT ONE HAS TO BEAR ARMS TO NOT ONLY FEEL SAFE BUT TO BE SAFE! IF SOMEONE COMES INTO MY HOUSE HE HAS BROUGHT IT ON HIMSELF TO BE SHOT.AND DAMNED WELL SHOULD BE SHOT.EVERYONE NEEDS TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST “THE BAD GUY ” AND LET THEM ALL KNOW ” IF YOU THREATEN MY FAMILY OR THE LIFE OF ANOTHER INNOCENT PERSON…THAT PUTS YOU IN THE SIGHTS MISTER {OR MISS}
I know I should listen to your bad feeling about Obama because you wrote it in all caps. So how many times have you had to use those guns to keep Obama out of your house? How many times has your family been threatened? How long after you posted that did you realize this is over a year old?
And how was he not voted in? It was an overwhelming electoral and popular vote victory.
Totally False – with proper link
http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/taxreturns.asp
Where did the myth start that liberals don’t have/carry guns? Just b/c they don’t shoot there mouths off about what they will do when it’s time to use it.
the truth bares no agenda. its comical to still read struggling citizens slober excuses for the current president based on actions from prior politicians! “get over it” already ! no matter how bad, good or indifferent your opinion places history, its obamas bed pan now “period”! i fought along side my brothers and sisters in uniform to insure “everyone” of us the right to “express”…if you have studied this current president, paying close attention to his shadows, read his books and speeches “before” being elected, and you are “STILL” proud of your vote, unfortunately you are swiftly being labeled “the MINORITY”! thankfully, along with this administration, obama and jolly joe biden will have plenty of time for arrogant “uppity” conversation come 2012…and dont think for a second this administration, with obamas “stupid” civilian police force “dream” wouldnt pass up any chance to silence our “arms”…..i always laugh when i see the latest “green” mobile, the leaf, twig, weed or whatever with a bumper sticker that says “IM PROUD TO BE A DEMOCRAT”…i just wave and point to mine that says “IM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN”….and if you can read this “thank a teacher” if you can read it in english “thank your veterans”…..good luck…soon it will be fair game…
It’s onerous to search out educated people on this matter, but you sound like you realize what you’re talking about! Thanks copy D&M&G shoulder bag