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Illinois Supreme Court Strikes Down Cook County Taxes On Guns And Ammunition

CHICAGO (CBS/AP) -- The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that Cook County taxes on guns and ammunition violate the state constitution.

In a decision Thursday, the high court ruled the taxes "directly burden a law-abiding citizen's" Second Amendment right to buy the items for self-defense.

Cook County approved the $25 tax on the retail purchase of a firearm within the county in 2012. In 2015, the county approved a tax ranging from 1 cent to 5 cents per cartridge of ammunition.

A gun rights organization, Guns Save Life, sued the county, saying the tax violated the second amendment.

A Cook County spokesman says they are disappointed in the ruling and will work to determine next steps.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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