I guess that is why I don't see it as an attack on sportsmen. If that tax was put on everything in an REI store, I would. We pay for tags and licenses and I know that's not a big deal in the scheme of things, but it's above and beyond what everybody else pays.
I see both sides of this issue. I am happy to pay the tax but you have to admit a bit unfair. If you were purchasing a gun for sport or protection why should you foot the bill for spotsman?
If somebody walked into my camp acting aggressively with a deadly weapon, I would shoot them if armed. I would give any animal the same treatment so as not to be racist.
I feel your pain. I was on a puppy waiting list for over a year when the breeder upped his price from $1200 to $1800, supposedly due to Covid. I told him that was too spendy for me and bailed out. If you watch classifieds, you will find non-papered pure breeds usually down around $600.