We have noted many times how Democrats want to prevent poor minorities from owning guns. Democrats are now making gun ownership even more expensive. The New York Times reports: “Having a gun in New Jersey could soon cost 20 times as much: Gov. Philip Murphy’s proposed fees — $550 to own and carry a gun, up from $27 — would be among the highest in the U.S.”

Though New Jersey has strict gun control laws, its firearms fees have not changed since the mid-1960s, making it a bargain for gun owners. A firearm identification card costs $5, while a permit to own a firearm is $2. A permit to carry a gun costs $20. . . .

Mr. Murphy, a Democrat, has proposed fees that would be among the highest in the country. An identification card would cost $100, an owner’s permit would be $50 and a carry permit $400. . . .

“This is clear bullying of law-abiding gun owners in the state,” said Cody McLaughlin, spokesman for the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, a pro-hunting group. “You’re talking about sportsmen that are already paying hundreds of dollars a year in license fees.” . . .

Besides raising fees on gun ownership, Mr. Murphy is also seeking an ammunition excise tax of 10 percent and a firearms excise tax of 2.5 percent. . . .

The projected annual revenue from the new fees and taxes is about $9 million, according to the State Treasury Department — a fraction of the $38 billion budget. . . .

“It’s going to affect gun shops tremendously,” said Lisa Caso, who owns Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City. “It’s going to deter a lot of people from buying permits. In our business, you have people coming in who barely have money to buy the most modestly priced guns, which are around $300.” . . .