October 23, 2021

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Gun News

Gun, ammunition taxes ruled unconstitutional by Ill Supreme Court

chicago.suntimes.com

Two Cook County taxes targeting firearms and ammunition are in jeopardy after the Illinois Supreme Court found they violate the state constitution.

In a 6-0 decision, Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis wrote the county's firearm and ammunition tax ordinances violate the constitution's uniformity clause, and the taxes "impose a burden on the exercise of a fundamental right protected by the second amendment."

"While the taxes do not directly burden a law-abiding citizen's right to use a firearm for self-defense, they do directly burden a law-abiding citizen's right to acquire a firearm and the necessary ammunition for self-defense," Theis wrote.

"Under the plain language of the ordinances, the revenue generated from the firearm tax is not directed to any fund or program specifically related to curbing the cost of gun violence," she wrote. "Thus, we hold the tax ordinances are unconstitutional under the uniformity clause."

That opinion, in the case of non-profit Guns Save Life Inc. versus Cook County, the county's director of the department of revenue, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, partially reverses decisions from the Cook County Circuit and state appellate courts that upheld the taxes and sends the case back to the circuit court for summary judgment in favor of the non-profit.


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Featured Firearm

Depending on what list you're reading, the most popular handgun in America is the Ruger LCP. Since its introduction in 2008, the .380 ACP pistol has been wildly popular, though its sights and trigger pull are routinely panned. While there were always improvements that could be made, Ruger seems to have addressed virtually all of them with the LCP II.

LCP, which stands for "lightweight compact pistol", was designed for concealed carry. With a 2.75" barrel Length and a 6 round magazine it more than lives up to the task. It is slim and petite enough to slip into a pocket or tuck into a waistband and forget about until you need it. And that is why it has proven to be a top choice for those looking for a personal defense weapon, not to mention its price: The LCP can be had for as little as $260.

You can also get an extended magazine which not only gives you an extra round, but also features an integrated grip extension which allows you to get extra purchase on the grip of your piece for better control while shooting.

Did you know?

A pistol is a handgun - but not all handguns are pistols.

The defining factor that makes a handgun a pistol is a chamber that is integral with the barrel. Semi-automatic handguns have a barrel with the chamber built in, which means they are pistols. Revolvers, on the other hand, are not pistols, because a revolver contains a cylinder that's separate from the barrel and contains multiple chambers.

Clip vs. Magazine

In almost every action movie when somebody asks for a 'spare clip' what they really want is a magazine.

In small arms terms magazine technically refers to a box, drum or tube with a spring inside to help feed the rounds. Magazines can be a fixed part of the weapon, or detachable. Most detachable magazines can be removed and replaced with a full one to reload the weapon.

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Thanks for reading,

The Editor

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