I think there is an answer.
In the same way that the products produced by the chemical manufacturing industry caused societal harm (pollution) that was not foreseen, the gun and ammunition manufacturing industry's products have caused societal injury (mass shootings of innocent people, accidental shootings) that they say is not foreseen.
And in the same way the Superfund Tax was created and in place from 1980 to 1995 to clean up the mess that the chemical industry said it never intended to make, I think we need a Superfund Tax on guns and ammunition to support the victims and families of gun violence.
The tax would be levied on all firearms and ammunition manufactured or imported in or to the United States. The first sale of a firearm, and all sales of ammunition would be subject to the tax.
The tax would then be used for the support, both medical and social of the innocent victims of gun violence.
The proceeds of the superfund would not be available for financial support of someone shot in the execution of a crime, or someone who was exchanging fire in an unlawful fashion.
There could be a graduated tax, such that higher capacity weapons and ammunition clips would be taxed at a higher rate.
Firearms without safety devices to disable the weapon if someone other than the legal owner tried to fire would have a higher tax rate.
Firearms produced directly for the US Military or US police forces could be exempt.
We face a Congress that is unwilling to do anything to control guns, or to provide universal background checks for people wanting to own guns.
The societal cost of unchecked gun manufacture, ownership and violence needs to be borne by those who participate in the gun hobby.
The superfund tax on guns and ammunition would align the cost of the unplanned events caused by gun and ammunition manufacture, import and distribution with the people who benefit from guns and ammunition.
