Colorado Voters Overwhelmingly Support Proposition KK
November 7, 2024Colorado voters have overwhelmingly supported Proposition KK, a ballot measure that introduces a 6.5% excise tax on firearms and ammunition to fund crime victim services, mental health services for veterans and youth, and school safety programs, with 75.3% voting in favor and 24.7% against out of 211,072 votes counted.
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Weapons are stored in the security forces armory in Building 500 June 14, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. All personally owned firearms brought onto base or stored on base must be registered at the visitor control center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam)Colorado voters have shown strong support for Proposition KK, a ballot measure introducing an excise tax on firearms and ammunition. As of 8:30 p.m. Mountain Time, 75.3% of voters favored the measure, with 24.7% opposed, out of 211,072 votes counted.
Proposition KK aims to generate funds for crime victim services, mental health services for veterans and youth, and school safety programs. The measure would add a 6.5% excise tax on guns, firearm parts, and ammunition sold in Colorado. Dealers and manufacturers would be responsible for paying the tax, likely passing costs to consumers.
Exemptions from the tax include dealers with annual sales under $20,000, private sales between individuals, and retail sales to law enforcement, active-duty military, and agencies. House Bill 1349, referring the measure to voters, passed the legislature with exclusively Democratic votes.
The tax is expected to raise approximately $39 million annually, with $30 million allocated for crime victim services. This dedicated funding would support counseling, advocacy, and emergency financial assistance for crime victims, as well as mental health services for veterans and youth, and school safety initiatives.
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