California Approves New Noise Pollution Tax on Firearms

By Editor

California, which already has the most restrictive gun control laws in the country, is adopting new legislation that could significantly increase the cost of gun ownership. As a purported effort to reduce noise pollution, California will be imposing a “Sonic Tax” on gun owners, based on the tested sound levels of rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
The California State Legislature has passed a new measure, California Senate Bill 1253, which will tax gun owners based on the noise levels of their guns. It is expected that Governor Gavin Newsom will sign this new legislation this week, and it will go into effect on June 1, 2024.
Under SB 1253, all guns must be tested for sound levels each year. Then an annual fee of $1.00 per decibel recorded will be charged for each firearm. That will prove costly — a .22 LR pistol can produce 140 decibels for a $140 annual tax, while a large rifle with muzzle brake can generate up to 185 decibels (see chart below). That would obligate the rifle owner to pay $185 per year. While suppressors would reduce sound levels (and fees), suppressors are illegal in California under Penal Code 33410.

In addition to the actual “sonic tax”,

Source: Accurate Shooter