WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, celebrated a milestone achievement after announcing firearm and ammunition manufacturers topped $16.1 billion in excise tax contributions to the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund since its inception in 1937. When adjusted for inflation, the total is more than $25 billion. The latest Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET) Collection report released by the Department of the Treasury, covering the 4th Quarter Calendar Year 2022, indicates that firearm and ammunition manufacturers contributed more than $235 million, the third-highest 4th calendar quarter in history.
“The entire firearm and ammunition industry should celebrate this truly outstanding achievement and take pride in this announcement,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. “The firearm and ammunition industry understands the conservation of wildlife and the habitats in which they thrive are invaluable. They are critical to future generations taking part in hunting and the recreational shooting sports traditions and learning about their vital importance. The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, funded significantly by taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, is responsible for the restoration and recovery of America’s iconic game species across the country, including the Rocky Mountain elk, whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, wild turkey and a variety of waterfowl. These contributions have also facilitated the remarkable recovery of the majestic American bald eagle, of which there are now more than 316,000 in the lower 48 states. The firearm and ammunition industry is filled with pride to achieve this landmark for conservation funding and the role our industry plays to ensure America’s wildlife is perpetuated for future generations.”
The astonishing total represents more than $1 billion contributed to conservation since announcing crossing the $15 billion contribution threshold just 12 months ago. It was less than one year before that remarkable achievement that NSSF announced Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax contributions surpassed $14 billion.
The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Fund, is funded by excise taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers on their products, as well as archery equipment manufacturers. The excise tax is set at 11 percent of the wholesale price for long guns and ammunition and 10 percent of the wholesale price for handguns. The excise tax, paid by manufacturers and importers, applies to all firearms produced or imported for commercial, federal law enforcement sales, whether the purpose is for recreational shooting, hunting, or personal defense. The tax is administered by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the Department of the Treasury, which turns the funds over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
USFWS deposits the Pittman-Robertson revenues into a special account called the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund administered by the USFWS. These funds are made available to states and territories the year following their collection based on a statutory formula.
These 10 to 11 percent excise tax dollars collected since 1937 under the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act are specifically designated to be used by state wildlife agencies for conservation and related purposes. Collectively, purchasers of firearms and ammunition, hunters, and the industry are the greatest source of wildlife conservation funding.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
Contributed? You’re kidding right? I hardly consider ANYTHING taken with the threat of violence behind it as contributing. And OBVIOUSLY just like any business in existence, if they have to pay something it is passed on to the customer. Like DUH? This is a weasel word article. Just like the 1st plank of the communist manifesto says abolition to all right of private property and the application of all RENT to public purpose. We call it PROPERTY TAXES, they call it RENT. If the end result is the same, its ABOLITION OF ALL RIGHT OT PRIVATE PROPERTY.
This is true! ANY monies unwilfully or unknowingly taken from ANY U.S> citizen in the course of commerce or trade is in fact against the will of WE, The People. This may make the chipmunks and the antelope happy, but it is still theft. Much like that gasoline and hundreds of other taxes. have often wondered when the citizens are ever going to grow the stones to inquire of the IRS over the fact that WAGES are defined as AN “EQUAL EXCHANGE” FOR LABOR, (In other words, Thank you for a job well done, here’s YOUR cut!) and the INCOME… Read more »
The worse part is that at one time we at least were paid in some THING for our labor. Or at least in a way that we could convert it into some THING. That being gold and silver. Today, we get NO THING for our labor…. Consider these following quotes “The Federal Government, with the cooperation of the Federal Reserve, has the inherent power to create money–almost any amount of it.” ~ The National Debt, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, p. 8 ALMOST? Why only ALMOST? What keeps them from creating ALL they want? You? Me? Your dog? A full… Read more »
You keep saying this TAX is levied on the WHOLESALE PRICE of the article! You have insinuated, but did not state this TAX IS PAID by the INDIVIDUAL END PURCHASER of that item. You ALSO did not state that the 10% TAX is levied on each round/box/container of ammunition, which the END PURCHASER, AGAIN, PAYS FOR THAT TAX!!!
Please include this information in any future or follow-up articles. Each American Citizen DESERVES to know the ENTIRE FACTS, not just SOME FACTS.
Again, the contribution of the slaves to the “system” never mentioned, but BOY! Michelle Obama must really like that MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR TRAIL WE, The People squandered our hard worked for tax dollars paid for, or those University of Whatever the Agenda’s study on tsi-tsi flies mating habits?
Why is anyone celebrating an unconstitutional tax and infringement on our civil rights?
If this was a federal poll tax or Bible tax or hiring-a-defense-lawyer tax, how would it stand?
In 1900 there were an estimated one half million white tail deer in the US. Today because of the Wildlife Restoration Trust fund there are an estimated thirty-five million. And it is not just the whitetail deer, but also other kinds of deer, elk, moose, turkey etc. All the herds and flock really.
I’m not surprised to see the same organization that supports arms laws and works with unconstitutional government agencies also brag about unconstitutional theft.