By Associated Press - Friday, March 1, 2019

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo is seeking a 10 percent surcharge on the purchase of guns and ammunition as part of her budget proposal.

The Providence Journal reports that the surcharge, in addition to the current 7 percent state sales tax, is expected to bring in an additional $804,305 in state revenue.

Her proposal drew hundreds of opponents to the State House on Thursday.

Narragansett resident Doris Aschman says taxing non-criminal gun owners “will do little to reduce gun violence.”

Democratic state Rep. James McLaughlin calls the proposal an “assault on the Second Amendment.”

Raimondo is also seeking to extend the state’s sales tax to shooting ranges for archery and firearms and memberships to shooting clubs.

The House Finance Committee did not vote on any of her revenue-raising proposals Thursday.

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