The executive summary of the ruling in Murdock v. Pennsylvania (1943) was that it is unconstitutional for a state to levy a tax on people who want to sell religious merchandise. “A municipal ordinance which, as construed and applied, requires religious colporteurs to pay a license tax as a condition to the pursuit of their activities, is invalid under the Federal Constitution as a denial of freedom of speech, press and religion. The mere fact that the religious literature is ‘sold’, rather than ‘donated’ does not transform the activities of the colporteur into a commercial enterprise.”
What does this have to do with fees to obtain a license to own or purchase a firearm? The USSC also found, “A State may not impose a charge for the enjoyment of a right granted by the Federal Constitution.” This means the entire Bill of Rights as opposed to just the First Amendment.
