Chicago's Brilliant Solution to Its Violence Problem: Tax It (Time: violent crime, neighborhoods)

[uggabugga]

silly liberals.

Drawing the ire of the gun lobby, Cook County Board President Preckwinkle is eyeing a violence tax on guns and ammunition sold in the city and suburbs, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

“If we were to pursue a tax on something like guns and ammo, clearly that wouldn’t be popular with the [gun lobby] out there, and it may not generate $50 million, but ... it is consistent with our commitment to pursuing violence reduction in the city and in the county,” Kurt Summers, Preckwinkle’s chief of staff, said on Monday.

The idea is to curb the number of guns in circulation, he said, citing a report issued last summer showing that nearly one-third of the guns recovered on Chicago’s streets were purchased in suburban gun shops. Other statistics are more dire: Murders in Chicago are up 25 percent this year, according to recent police statistics, and the county jail is filling up — with 9,000-plus inmates, nearing the 10,155 capacity.
Cook County mulling violence tax on guns and ammunition - Chicago Sun-Times

[01Snake]

You just can't make this stuff up can you?

[Memphis1979]

Just drive to Michigan, or another county in Illinois.

Stupid idea.

[Frugality]

I think this is more about generating revenue than reducing violence.

[cw30000]

Government's number 1 solution to all problems is: print (money).

If you cannot print, in the case of the state and local government, then your number solutions to all problem: tax it.

[uggabugga]

Originally Posted by Frugality

I think this is more about generating revenue than reducing violence.

that's certainly part of it, no doubt. but you may have missed this:

The idea is to curb the number of guns in circulation

[jjwebbster]

Originally Posted by uggabugga

that's certainly part of it, no doubt. but you may have missed this:

Duh, This smells a lot like a Raum Emanuel, Eric Holder deal. Tax guns & ammo to make sure the good guy's can't get them. Fast & Fu-ked up 2.

[urbanlife78]

If one wants to reduce violent crime, it needs to be handled at the root to prevent it, a tax would only add revenue at the effect of violence and do nothing to prevent it. Want to solve violence in Chicago, then give those in violent neighborhoods hope and give them a way to succeed in life, that will reduce crime.

A man won't succumb to violence if that man feels he has something to lose, but if he has nothing to lose, then he has nothing to stop him from being violent.

[Chicago76]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

If one wants to reduce violent crime, it needs to be handled at the root to prevent it, a tax would only add revenue at the effect of violence and do nothing to prevent it. Want to solve violence in Chicago, then give those in violent neighborhoods hope and give them a way to succeed in life, that will reduce crime.

A man won't succumb to violence if that man feels he has something to lose, but if he has nothing to lose, then he has nothing to stop him from being violent.

Agree with you, but what if the tax proceeds from guns/ammo were spent on programs to do exactly what you propose?

[jdiddy]

Sounds like a good idea, particularly on ammo.

I don't think anyone would believe this alone will solve Chicago's violence problem, but guns/ammo have obvious negative externalities that should be taxed as a result.

If this fact enrages some conspiratorial gun nuts, tough ****. Your access to ammo allows easier access for criminals as well. Pay the tax, or pay the extra gas/time to buy elsewhere. Seems pretty reasonable.