First FL Sales Tax Holiday On Guns, Ammunition Under Way

PLANT CITY, FL — For the first time ever, the state is offering its first Florida Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, which waives tax on guns and ammunition through the end of the year, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.

“Florida is a great state for outdoor adventure and exercising your Second Amendment rights, and we’re working to keep it that way,” the governor said, adding that the sales tax waiver will help “Floridians keep more of their hard-earned money.”

The tax holiday, which began Monday, suspends the collection of sales tax on the retail sale of items needed for hunting, fishing or camping.

This includes these items:

• ammunition
• bows and crossbows, as well as accessories
• firearms including pistols, rifles, and shotguns
• firearm accessories such as holsters, grips, sights, stocks, and cleaning kits

“We should be an open-carry state,” DeSantis said during an appearance at G Five Feed & Outdoor in Plant City to mark the start of a sales tax holiday, according to WUSF. “I think we're on record many times saying that hopefully this is the year. We'll continue to fight for those freedoms.”

The expanded sales tax holiday will also allow Floridians to save money on supplies needed for other sportsman activities such as camping or fishing, covering items such as:

• camping lanterns and flashlights for $30 or less
• camping stoves, hammocks, chairs, and sleeping bags for $50 or less
• tents for $200 or less
• bait and tackle up to $5 if sold individually or $10 if packaged together
• tackle bags and boxes up to $30
• rods and reels up to $75 if sold individually or up to $150 if sold in a set

Find a full list of qualifying items here.

Half-priced state-owned shooting range passes will be available on these dates and locations:

• Oct. 12 at all ranges
• Oct. 26 and Dec. 6 at the Tenoroc Shooting Center in Lakeland and the Bay County Shooting Range in Panama City Beach
• Nov. 22 and Dec. 20 at the Triple N. Ranch Shooting Range in St. Cloud and the Palm Beach County Shooting Sports Complex in West Palm Beach

The state will also offer free range passes to all veterans on all ranges on Nov. 9 for Veterans Day.

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S., Florida will offer its five-year Gold sportsman license, normally $500, for $250.