Topic: Gun Licenses

Massachusetts maintains a flat 5.3% income tax due to constitutional prohibitions against graduated rates. Residents also face a 6.25% sales tax, high property taxes, and numerous administrative fees for services ranging from ferry rides to gun license renewals.

Despite a "no new taxes" pledge, Mitt Romney oversaw a $5 billion increase in annual state spending during his four-year term. He implemented numerous "fees" that functioned as taxes, including tripling gun license costs, closing loopholes for internet sales taxes, and enabling local business property tax hikes.

A witness explains that the Branch Davidians operated a legal gun business to generate income for the community. David Koresh and other members sold firearms at Texas gun shows under a license held by an associate named Henry. The group also sold military surplus items, including MREs and inert grenades marketed as paperweights, asserting their activities were common among American gun enthusiasts.