Government Complicit with Gun Industry Through Pittman-Robertson Excise Tax, Profits By Billions

Words associated with gun violence: Smith & Wesson, Colt, Remington, Winchester.

But how about Pittman-Robertson?

Few realize the federal government’s Pittman-Robertson Act (PRA) excise tax imposed on weapons, ammo, and hunting equipment/permits are at the crux of gun violence in America. Tied into Pittman-Robertson tax on all weapons, ammo, and hunting equipment sold in this country is the proliferation of large, stable deer populations across the country, because the federal government requires funds be used to promote hunting.

Based on a feedback loop, wildlife agencies receive PRA monies to promote hunting and fund game agencies. Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937) conjoined federal and state governments with gunmakers. The Act levies an 11% tax on long guns, including the popular AR-15-style rifles and ammunition often used in mass shootings, and a 10% tax on handguns. And guns, rounds, and shotshells are taxed when manufactured or imported, so firearms may be legally purchased or stolen. This revenue also includes taxes on archery equipment that gets handed over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Department of the Interior. Then, it is exclusively apportioned to wildlife management bureaus of states as well as U.S. territories for wildlife management of “game species.”

A state’s apportionment is based on the number of hunting permits the state sells, as well as its land area. So, hunting permits, of course, translate into firearms and ammunition sales. It’s complex and convoluted, but following the money makes it comprehensible why passing gun-control laws is difficult, if not impossible in the U.S. With all this in mind, there’s no way around addressing the other half of this twin topic: hunting.

Game agencies keep deer populations high and rebounding through a formula known as “maximum sustained yield.” Credentialed biologists like those who work for Ohio Division of Wildlife – recruited hunters and trappers – maintain a sweet spot of 50 to 75% biological carrying capacity, which guarantees rebound. These are government servants trusted to offer practical solutions for the pressing deer population issue. Instead, they deceive and receive. It's how they stay in business.

And we can be sure of it, because state game agencies like Ohio's refuse the use of EPA-approved, humane, remote-administered, 90% effective PZP immunocontraception on deer.

Though only four or five percent of Americans hunt, a significantly higher percentage of mass shootings are committed by hunters. But that is suppressed by the media. 

The firearms excise tax is unique and aberrant for its self-serving nature. No other established excise tax works this way. Alcohol and tobacco excise taxes go to the General Fund for the public good, including helping folks to quit smoking or drinking. Imagine the public outcry when most realize the government is profiting from the business of inhumane, inflated deer populations.

In 2022, over one billion dollars ($1B) was collected from Pittman-Robertson excise tax.

It can be argued that state wildlife bureaus are government divisions that profit from mass murders of humans and animals, and urban crimes committed with firearms, including AR-15 style rifles.