Florida’s Sales-Tax Holiday For Guns, Ammo And Hunting Equipment Begins

Florida’s sales-tax exemption on a variety of hunting equipment including guns and ammunition began on Monday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Monday to celebrate the beginning of what he’s calling the “Second Amendment Sales-Tax Holiday, which runs through the end of the year.

The tax holiday also allows people to avoid paying sales taxes on camping and fishing equipment. It was part of a broad tax package (HB 7031) that lawmakers passed in June.

The state has long held tax holidays for such things as back-to-school supplies and hurricane-preparation supplies. The tax package, for example, included a back-to-school tax holiday that lasted throughout August.

DeSantis proposed a “Second Amendment Summer” tax holiday when he made budget recommendations before this spring’s legislative session. The idea evolved to a holiday later in the year that also included camping and fishing equipment.

In addition to guns, ammunition and firearm accessories, other items exempt from sales taxes during the period will include bows and accessories; tents that cost $200 or less; sleeping bags and camping stoves that cost $50 or less; camping lanterns that cost $30 or less; fishing rods and reels that cost $75 or less; fishing tackle boxes that cost $30 or less; and bait and fishing tackle that costs $5 or less.

State economists have projected the holiday will save shoppers $44.8 million this year, reducing state revenue by $34.6 million and local revenue by $10.2 million.