Half a billion $$$ to state wildlife agencies this year - thanks to gun & ammo buyers
Last September marked the 75th anniversary of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (now known as the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act); since 1937, hunters, shooters, and gun and ammo buyers in general have paid an extra tax on handgun purchases, and an extra tax on longgun and ammo purchases; those extra taxes are currently 10% and 11% respectively...
...all of which - over $4.2 billion to date - goes into a fund that pays for wildlife conservation and management and habitat restoration and enhancements.
2013's take for the fund is expected to total a record $522 million...
...that's up 30% from last year and is almost totally due to a spectacular surge in purchases of firearms and ammunition triggered by concerns over the potential of tighter firearms-related regulations.
And that record $522 million is simply a conservative estimate...
...many so-called experts on the issue are predicting that if gun and ammo sales remain robust through this year, 2013 could actually produce over $600 million.
The previous record was set the year President Obama first took office...
...2009's take was $472 million.
Almost all States rely solely on proceeds from hunting/fishing licenses and reimbursement from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to fund their respective wildlife endeavors...
...ie, almost no general tax money is used at all.
Last September marked the 75th anniversary of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (now known as the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act); since 1937, hunters, shooters, and gun and ammo buyers in general have paid an extra tax on handgun purchases, and an extra tax on longgun and ammo purchases; those extra taxes are currently 10% and 11% respectively...
...all of which - over $4.2 billion to date - goes into a fund that pays for wildlife conservation and management and habitat restoration and enhancements.
2013's take for the fund is expected to total a record $522 million...
...that's up 30% from last year and is almost totally due to a spectacular surge in purchases of firearms and ammunition triggered by concerns over the potential of tighter firearms-related regulations.
And that record $522 million is simply a conservative estimate...
...many so-called experts on the issue are predicting that if gun and ammo sales remain robust through this year, 2013 could actually produce over $600 million.
The previous record was set the year President Obama first took office...
...2009's take was $472 million.
Almost all States rely solely on proceeds from hunting/fishing licenses and reimbursement from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to fund their respective wildlife endeavors...
...ie, almost no general tax money is used at all.
