Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) just dropped a bombshell bill that’s got real potential to supercharge American self-reliance: the Jumpstart Savings Plan, a federal tax-advantaged account designed to bankroll equipment, certifications, and startup costs for nontraditional, noncollege careers. Think welders, electricians, mechanics—and yes, gunsmiths, firearms instructors, and range builders. This isn’t some vague welfare handout; it’s a targeted vehicle for tradespeople to deduct contributions and grow funds tax-free, much like a 529 for college but laser-focused on vocational hustles. Moore, fresh off his stint as West Virginia’s Treasurer where he crushed ESG investing and championed financial freedom, is pitching this as a nationwide antidote to the college debt scam that’s left millions saddled with useless degrees and barista jobs.
For the 2A community, this is a stealth win disguised as workforce development. Firearms-related vocations—custom rifle building, concealed carry instruction, armorers’ courses, or even launching a small arms manufacturing outfit—often demand hefty upfront investments in tools like milling machines, CNC setups, or certification programs from NRA or NSSF. Under Jumpstart, a budding gunsmith could funnel pre-tax dollars into a lathe or suppressor jig without Uncle Sam skimming off the top, making it easier to enter a market that’s exploding amid rising gun ownership (over 32 million background checks in 2023 alone, per FBI data). It’s pro-2A by proxy: empowering the skilled hands that maintain, innovate, and teach firearm proficiency, countering the left’s war on self-sufficiency. Contextually, this lands amid a trades renaissance—BLS projects 10% growth in installation/maintenance jobs by 2032—while Biden’s student loan forgiveness balloons the deficit; Moore’s plan flips the script, rewarding merit over credentials.
The implications? A boom in grassroots 2A entrepreneurship. Imagine more local shops offering affordable gunsmithing services, lowering barriers for new shooters and bolstering the ecosystem against ATF overreach. Critics might cry corporate welfare, but this is individual empowerment—pair it with existing 2A tax credits (like the $500 hearing protection deduction), and it’s a compounding force for liberty. If it passes, Jumpstart could ignite a new generation of armed tradesmen, proving once again that real progress arms the people, not the ivory tower. Keep an eye on Moore; he’s building momentum for the maker class, and we’re here for it.
