Ammunition tax will help fund services for crime victims | OPINION | Opinion

One of the most important tasks of my office is supporting crime victims. Every day I see and feel the trauma and suffering of other community members who are victims of crime, often gun crimes.

The support my office provides includes accompanying victims through the arduous process of our criminal justice system. Victims of crime also receive support from several outstanding community-based organizations in Denver. Since the pandemic, victim support organizations have reported a significant increase in the number of people needing their help. Without help, many victims will face long-term physical and mental health problems, homelessness and re-victimization.

In Denver County alone, federal funding supported at least 28 programs last year, serving 20,928 people. These important community programs are in grave danger. In recent years, financial support from government agencies for crime victims has declined sharply. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that federal funding for victim assistance services has declined 75% over the past six years. In Colorado, this has resulted in a decrease in funding from $56 million in 2018 to $13 million in 2024. The federal funding my office receives was also cut, and as a result we had to eliminate one of our victim advocate positions.

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The good news is that by passing Proposition KK this year, Colorado voters have a chance to close some of that funding gap and reduce victim advocacy organizations' reliance on increasingly scarce federal funds.

Proposition KK would impose a 6.5% excise tax on the sale of firearms, firearm parts and ammunition. Firearm dealers, manufacturers and ammunition sellers would be responsible for paying this tax, not the people who purchase firearms. There are exceptions for small arms dealers as well as for police and military personnel.

Proposition KK is expected to generate up to $39 million in its first year. Of that $39 million, $30 million would be used to provide essential services to crime victims, such as on-site crisis response, counseling and emergency financial services. $5 million would go toward mental health care for veterans living in government centers; $3 million would fund urgently needed behavioral health services for youth; and the remaining $1 million would support school safety and gun violence reduction programs. All of these programs and services are urgently needed to help prevent crime and support victims of crime.

After nearly eight years as Denver District Attorney, I have seen funding for victim services drastically cut. I have also seen the continued devastation caused by gun violence. For example, 86% of the 94 domestic violence-related homicides in Colorado last year involved firearms. Additionally, domestic violence has increased by 14% this year compared to last year. Victims urgently need support services.

In my opinion, it makes perfect sense for gun manufacturers to help fund services for victims of gun-related crimes, just as money raised through taxes on alcohol and tobacco sales funds programs for people negatively affected by these products are.

Please join me in voting for Proposition KK and supporting our veterans, our young people, and crime victims.

Beth McCann is Denver District Attorney, now in her second term. A Democrat, she was first elected to office in 2016 and will step down when her term expires at the end of this year.