Seattle Gun Store Owner Moving Because of New Tax

SEATTLE (AP) — The owner of one of Seattle's few gun stores says he's moving his business to avoid paying a new tax.

The Seattle Times reports that the city tax on firearm and ammunition sales took effect January 1. Precise Shooter owner Sergey Solyanik says he stopped selling guns and ammo in Seattle and is already close to signing a lease in Lynnwood.

Solyanik and others are fighting the tax in court, but he says he can't afford to wait around for a ruling.

The City Council voted unanimously in August to tax gun sellers $25 per gun and 2 or 5 cents per round of ammunition. Councilmember Tim Burgess said it would raise thousands of dollars for gun violence research and prevention.