Proposed repeal of Pittman Robertson Act - Thoughts?

[fabsroman]

ALERT: New bill aims to repeal Pittman-Robertson Act

If approved, millions could be lost for conservation funding

www.gohunt.com

Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act explained - Wildlife for All

Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act was passed in 1937 and established a program of matching federal grants to the states for wildlife restoration projects.

wildlifeforall.us

I am not sure how I feel about this. It gets rid of the 11% excise tax on firearms, but that money is going directly to conservation. Believe the Pittman-Robertson Act also requires the states to use licensing fees toward conservation and the feds match the amount via a grant.

 

[2nd=Good+Substantial]

What's the reasoning behind eliminating this tax now? The government never gives up an opportunity to squeeze people's wallets.

It seems like the causes supported by the tax are a good thing. Another rarity.

 

[RRomig]

I know exactly how I feel about it.
It’s fvcked up. It’s a tax that goes to a great cause and if it’s removed will be gone forever. Then our resources will start drying up. The let nature have its way people don’t understand how involved people need to be to ensure the health and continued success of all species.

 

[babalou]

I know exactly how I feel about it.
It’s fvcked up. It’s a tax that goes to a great cause and if it’s removed will be gone forever. Then our resources will start drying up. The let nature have its way people don’t understand how involved people need to be to ensure the health and continued success of all species.

agreed

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

Conservation is all about using the resources nature gave us for the betterment of all...while preserving the environments those resources are in. That's being replaced by environmentalism which is to eliminate the use of those resources in some twisted belief it will save the Earth.

Conservationism has preserved the lands for hunting, camping, recreation and bettering the lives of all. Environmentalism has kept those lands from being cleared and properly managed resulting in more and worse fires, water runoff and erosion and poor land management.

I believe the elimination of conservation funds is intentional to be replaced by the wacko environmentalism of the Left.

 

[fabsroman]

What's the reasoning behind eliminating this tax now? The government never gives up an opportunity to squeeze people's wallets.

It seems like the causes supported by the tax are a good thing. Another rarity.

52 Republican representatives in the House are sponsoring this bill because it is an infringement on the 2nd Amendment.

This is truly one of those taxes where the money does go to exactly what it has been ear marked for, versus the tax revenue from casinos in Maryland going to education.

This is why I am having a tough time figuring out how I feel about this entire issue.

 

[Huckleberry]

The Dems and Rinos are just trying to steal the PRA conservation money to funnel into their own pet projects and social agendas.

Pittman-Robinson is the one government program that works from the FDR New Deal nightmare.

Not seeing how PRA's excise tax is anti-2A if it helps promote hunting and wildlife conservation.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

This is truly one of those taxes where the money does go to exactly what it has been ear marked for, versus the tax revenue from casinos in Maryland going to education.

Back in the '90s the Clinton Administration illegally redirected those funds for other, more politically correct uses...and nothing happened to them for it. Those tax revenues were and are directed for conservation purposes by statute...and the Clinton Administration violated the statute.

But Democrats violating the law...just a slow Tuesday in DC.

 

[DeadInside]

If you care about our natural resources and the environment then this is a bad idea…

As noted this is the rare tax that actually goes where it should for the benefit of all of us.

 

[Boondock Saint]

I suppose I'll hop in here and represent the "taxation is theft" crowd.

But when .gov is considering giving up a source of revenue, particularly one that is codified in its direct purpose, we are right to be suspicious. Still, 11% looks better in my wallet than anywhere else.

 

[fabsroman]

The Dems are just trying to steal the PRA conservation money to funnel into their own pet projects and social agendas.

No idea how that can be possible when it is the Republicans sponsoring the death of the Pittman-Robertson act. Alas, everything on here has to be a rant against the left.

 

[Park ranger]

I can tell you it is going to managing and maintaining public lands. In particular units you can hunt on. The "oligst " and technicians are doing an excellent job from what I'm seeing.

 

[243hunter]

I agree with most people that the tax should stay because it serves a direct good purpose, but it is a tax on a constitutional right, and should they be able to tax a constitutional right. But that would also go for paying sales tax on the purchase of guns and ammo. So it you end one tax then all taxes should also apply.

 

[Inigoes]

If you care about our natural resources and the environment then this is a bad idea…

As noted this is the rare tax that actually goes where it should for the benefit of all of us.

And that is why the Democrats want it, they can't touch it.

 

[fabsroman]

I suppose I'll hop in here and represent the "taxation is theft" crowd.

But when .gov is considering giving up a source of revenue, particularly one that is codified in its direct purpose, we are right to be suspicious. Still, 11% looks better in my wallet than anywhere else.

Yep, I can see it both ways. I can see how the money has been helping the environment and conservation in general, and then I can see how an 11% excise tax raises the price of firearms such that somebody in a lower income bracket, that needs a firearm for protection, cannot afford one. Granted, the training for the CCW permit in Maryland makes the $33 excise tax on a $300 gun seem trivial.

 

[babalou]

52 Republican representatives in the House are sponsoring this bill because it is an infringement on the 2nd Amendment.

This is truly one of those taxes where the money does go to exactly what it has been ear marked for, versus the tax revenue from casinos in Maryland going to education.

This is why I am having a tough time figuring out how I feel about this entire issue.

yup. some of the monies I pay to go salmon fishing in upstate NY goes to like funds.

 

[Huckleberry]

No idea how that can be possible when it is the Republicans sponsoring the death of the Pittman-Robertson act. Alas, everything on here has to be a rant against the left.

I modified my post. I was shooting from the hip and my smartphone while multi-tasking.

Your typical pontificating was not needed.

But if there is tax money to waste or steal from one program for another then the Dems are usual suspects. I'm sure some of those 52 Republicans are gullible enough to believe that by eliminating PRA that ammo prices will drop.

 

[Tungsten]

This is why I am having a tough time figuring out how I feel about this entire issue.

Id rather voluntarily donate than be forced to support a good cause

 

[fabsroman]

I modified my post. I was shooting from the hip and my smartphone while multi-tasking.

Your typical pontificating was not needed.

But if there is tax money to waste or steal from one program for another then the Dems are usual suspects. I'm sure some of those 52 Republicans are gullible enough to believe that by eliminating PRA that ammo prices will drop.

I am a pontificate extraordinaire. Don't want you to ever forget it. lol

I do agree that the dems love to piss away other people's money. Normally, I am all for getting rid of taxes. Just hard to get rid of this one and then hope that people will donate to a cause and/or that the politicians will budget money each and every year for conservation efforts.

I wonder how much conservation programs like Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, NWTF, etc. bring in every year versus what the 11% excise tax brings in?

Then, I am the one saying "welfare should be abolished because there are too many abusing it that are able bodied and should be working. People can find help through churches and other charitable organizations wherein the interaction is face to face and the organization has a feel for whether these people are full of BS or actually disabled."

 

[Inigoes]

It wasn't to long ago, the feds wanting to tax all of our 401 and IRAs.

The feds want to gobble up as much tax money they can get their hands on to line their pockets with.