Originally Posted by DieselAddict

Yeah, but what's the potential for damage from a black powder gun? The reason for banning high-powered rifles and machine guns is obvious. I understand some may want these toys to play with innocently, but I think the risk to the public is just too great. Already in some places the police are being out-gunned by criminals. Is that really in the public's interest?

If our democracy mostly works as most of us believe, then it will ultimately be the people deciding the fate of guns. While a $1000 sales tax on guns might not require a constitutional change, it would still be extremely hard to pass in congress and even if congress passed it, those who voted for it would soon be voted out of office and the law would be reversed if the public didn't support it.