With new laws aimed at making gun ownership more difficult due to go into effect on October 1st, Maryland residents have been buying up guns in record numbers. Under the new law, 65 guns will face a total ban. Opponents say the new laws won’t affect criminals who tend to ignore laws in the first place, but it will make it harder for law-abiding Marylanders to buy a gun for self-protection.
Gov O’Malley rushed the bill through to enhance his expected run for the presidency in 2016. Apparently, he is planning on running on a platform of ridiculous taxes and a criminal protection platform.
New and increased taxes under O’Malley:
• Handgun licensing fees and other firearm registration fee
• Electricity rate increase due to higher expense of power produced by offshore wind farm
Trending:
• Vehicle registration surcharge (Transportation package)
• Maryland Transit Authority fare increase (Transportation package)
• Indexing gas tax to increase with the consumer price index (Transportation package)
• Applying wholesale tax to gasoline sales (Transportation package)
• Income tax increase on Marylanders earning more than $100,000
• Reduction of personal income exemption for Marylanders earning more than $100,000
• Recordation tax applied to indemnity mortgages
• Increase tobacco tax rate from 15 to 70 percent for certain products
• Double death certificate fee
• Repeal of the sales tax exemption on penalty charges assessed on the late return of gas cylinders
• Double Bay Restoration fee (“Flush tax”)
• Require counties to collect Storm Water Management Fee (“Rain tax”)
• Increase Weights and Measures Registration fee
• Double Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund Fee
• New fee for major modifications under the Wetland Water Way Program
• Hospital assessment
• Alcoholic beverage sales tax increase from 6 to 9 percent
• Vehicle dealer processing charge
• Double vanity plate fee
• Double vehicle certificate of title fee
• Out of State Attorney Admission fee
• Increase in contractor licensing and renewal fees
• Double birth certificate fee
• Eliminates exemption of premium tax on worker’s compensation
• Bridge and tunnel toll increases
• Fishing license and registration fees
• Speed cameras in school and work zones
• Increase the top marginal tax rate from 5.5 to 6.25 percent (“Millionaire’s tax”), since expired
• Computer services tax
• New income tax marginal rates from 4.75 to 5.5 percent
• Increase sales tax from 5 to 6 percent
• Increase state corporate income tax from 7 to 8.25 percent
• Increase cigarette tax from $1 to $2 per pack
• Increase vehicle titling tax from $23 to $25
• Vehicle excise tax increase
• Electronic gambling tip jar tax
• Real property transfer tax
• Elimination of Captive Real Estate Investment Trusts
Gun owners have sued Maryland and the court will hear the case on Oct 1st, to decide whether to place a temporary injunction on the law, while they decide whether to throw the law out entirely.
Steven Ahle is the Editor of Red Statements.
