Governor SLAMS Hunters with Ammo Tax…

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz just slapped a proposed 10-11% tax on every gun and bullet sold, turning self-defense into a luxury for law-abiding citizens.

Announcement Details from Governor’s Office

Governor Tim Walz unveiled his comprehensive gun violence prevention package on February 24, 2026, during a morning press conference in his office. Legislators, community advocates, and survivors like Lydia Kaiser from the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting joined him. The 15-item plan targets military-style assault rifles, ghost guns, high-capacity magazines, and binary triggers with outright bans. Walz called these “common-sense” measures to curb violence after recent tragedies.

How much more useless shit can this clown come up with.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Pushes Tax for Gun and Ammo Sales https://t.co/0pMFNiHR3f via @BreitbartNews

— Buddy Revell (@BuddyRevel17394) February 24, 2026

Specific Taxes and Insurance Mandates

Minnesota faces new sales taxes under the proposal: 10% on handgun purchases and 11% on shotguns, rifles, and all ammunition. Firearm owners must buy liability insurance, adding annual costs to ownership. Safe storage requirements and mandatory reporting of lost or stolen guns aim to prevent misuse. Walz expanded school-based early intervention resources, funded in part by tax revenue. These elements mark the first statewide gun and ammo taxes at this scale.

Recent Tragedies Driving the Push

The package responds to high-profile violence. On August 27, 2025, a shooter attacked Annunciation Catholic Church and school, where survivor Lydia Kaiser later spoke. June 2025 saw the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, with Sen. John Hoffman and his wife wounded by Vance Boelter. January 2026 brought federal killings of two Minneapolis residents. Walz proposed a special session after the Annunciation, but Democrats clashed with Republicans over priorities.

Republican Opposition and Constitutional Concerns

House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Minority Leader Harry Niska issued a joint statement hours after the announcement. They criticized the lack of bill language and declared assault weapon bans unconstitutional, off the table even for some Democrats. Republicans back mental health funding and school safety, but reject restrictions infringing on Second Amendment rights. Common sense aligns with their view: bans punish law-abiding gun owners while criminals ignore laws. Walz claims no Second Amendment violation, demonstrating that pheasant hunting and show hunting are compatible.

Tim Walz says he supports the Second Amendment BUT also supports:

❌ Gun registration checks
❌ CDC "researching" a firearm retirement age for senior citizens
❌ Preventing interstate carry reciprocity
❌ Banning common semiautomatic firearms pic.twitter.com/mhtRmvf9uK

— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) August 6, 2024

Legislative Hurdles in Divided Government

Minnesota’s divided legislature poses challenges. Republicans control the House, blocking Democrat priorities. Permit-to-carry applications surged past 67,000 in 2024, with over 57,000 issued, per Bureau of Criminal Apprehension data. Prior reforms included Extreme Risk Protection Orders, background checks, and straw purchase felonies from 2023-2025. Walz’s December 2025 Executive Order 25-12 directed agencies to reduce gun violence; a January 2026 order screened Capitol weapons. This legislative push tests bipartisanship.

Potential Economic and Social Fallout

Gun owners, hunters, and sport shooters face higher prices from taxes and insurance. Firearm retailers anticipate sales drops; manufacturers feel ripple effects. Urban areas like Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park, hit by recent violence, may see safety gains from storage rules and interventions. Long-term, passage sets national precedents but invites court challenges. Republicans’ focus on mental health offers common ground, aligning with conservative values emphasizing root causes over punishment of the responsible.