An effort to repeal the sales tax on firearms suffered a quick defeat Thursday in a South Dakota legislative committee. 

Representative Tom Pischke, a Republican from Dell Rapids, sponsored the bill. After his testimony, a non-debatable motion to table the bill arose and was seconded. The motion passed, 12-0.  

Committee Chairman Mark Willadsen, a Sioux Falls Republican, had the final word. 

“Thank you Representative Pischke. I hope your bill in the next committee goes better for you.” 

Pischke had testified that the constitutional right to bear arms should not be taxed. But he also acknowledged estimates that the bill would cost the state $3 million to $4 million in tax revenue.