Maryland SB 118 threatens our rights
Maryland Senate Bill 118 would impose a new 11% statewide excise tax on firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition purchased by Maryland residents. While labeled as a “community safety” measure, this tax would directly raise costs on law-abiding citizens, small businesses, and families who rely on firearms for lawful self-defense, training, and sporting purposes.
This proposal does not target criminals—it targets responsible gun owners and federally licensed firearms dealers who already operate under some of the strictest regulations in the country.
Impose an 11% excise tax on firearms, accessories, and ammunition
Apply to Maryland dealers and certain out-of-state dealers selling to Maryland residents
Take effect July 1, 2027 for large retailers and July 1, 2028 for all others
Add new reporting requirements and criminal penalties for dealers
Increase costs on training, safety equipment, and lawful ownership
Law enforcement and government agencies are exempt—but everyday Marylanders are not.
It makes self-defense more expensive for working families and seniors
It hurts small, local firearms businesses across Maryland
It taxes a constitutional right, setting a dangerous precedent
There is no guarantee the funds will reduce violent crime
Criminals will not pay this tax—law-abiding citizens will
Marylanders deserve real solutions to violence, not policies that punish responsible citizens and small businesses
Take Action Now
Follow the instructions beloaw to fight back
Stand against the Bond Requirement hidden in HR 1.
Copy the following message.
I am writing to urge you to oppose Subtitle B, Section 203 of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which was added by the Senate Judiciary Committee. This provision poses a serious threat to the ability of everyday Americans to defend their constitutional rights in court.
If enacted, this section would require any individual or organization seeking a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against the federal government to post a bond equal to the “costs and damages” the government claims it might incur if the injunction is granted.
This would effectively shut down access to justice for most Americans. Few individuals or public interest groups could afford to pay such a bond, which could amount to millions or even billions of dollars, just to ask the courts to pause a potentially unlawful or unconstitutional government action.
As Justice Clint Bolick of the Arizona Supreme Court stated:
“Requiring potentially massive bonds to enjoin government action could prevent many or even most such lawsuits from being filed in the first place… Many parties would have no choice but to accept violations of their rights rather than seek legal redress.”
This is not about protecting taxpayers. It’s about shielding the government from accountability. This provision would put vital legal tools—like restraining orders and injunctions—out of reach, leaving individuals and organizations defenseless against unlawful government policies.
Whether the issue is freedom of speech, religious liberty, privacy, due process, or any other constitutionally protected right, this provision rigs the system in favor of unchecked federal power. It sends the message that unless you’re wealthy, you don’t get to challenge the government—no matter how serious the harm.
I respectfully urge you to oppose this dangerous provision and demand that Subtitle B, Section 203 be removed from H.R. 1. Access to justice must be based on the merits of a case, not the financial status of the person bringing it.
Thank you for your service and attention to this critical matter.
Visit your senator’s website contact page (links listed below)
Maryland
Chris Van Hollen :
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact/email
Angela Alsobrooks:
https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Delaware
Chris Coons:
https://www.coons.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Lisa Blunt Rochester:
https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Virginia
Mark Warner:
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage
Tim Kane:
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Fill out the necessary information. Paste the text into the message portion of the online form and hit submit.
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