Texas tax free holiday approved in Senate for firearms and hunting gear
The Texas Senate voted Thursday to create a tax free weekend for guns and hunting supplies. On the weekend before hunting season begins in September, Texans would be able to buy scopes, ammunition and firearms without having to pay sales tax on the item.
The bill’s author says Louisiana has a sales tax holiday on hunting items and Texans cross the eastern border for cheaper goods. He wants that business to stay in Texas and to promote hunting in the state of Texas.
“Always concerned when talking Second Amendment subjects and promoting the sale of firearms,” said Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe. “But at the end of the day, that’s strong in our heritage, that’s something we want to promote and protect and we don’t want to be at a competitive disadvantage with other states.”
This “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday” still needs to pass the House and be signed by the governor.
The state already designates annual sales tax-free weekends for the purchase of some school supplies and energy-efficient appliances. Sen. Brandon Creighton’s plan would extend the same exemption to firearm purchases.
The Conroe Republican noted that Louisiana established in 2009 a tax-free weekend for guns, ammo and hunting supplies during the first weekend in September.
He said Texas’ failure to follow suit has put hunting and firearms retailers near the border with Louisiana at a disadvantage.
According to a legislative analysis, Creighton’s plan would cost the state more than $11 million in lost sales tax revenue during Texas’ two-year budgetary cycle.
At The Eagle Gun Range in Lewisville, the bigger business is the range, but they still sell firearms. The President, David Prince, thinks any savings is good savings.
