Desantis kicks off new tax holiday.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made an appearance in Plant City on Monday to announce his “Second Amendment Tax Holiday.” DeSantis addressed a group of 50 people and news cameras from Tampa and Orlando from a podium set up inside GFive Feed & Outdoor on US 92 West.
Governor DeSantis spoke of his ongoing effort to eliminate property tax, the pluses of no income tax in Florida, then then kicked off the initiative that began on Monday. “One of the things we wanted to do was show our commitment to folks who believe in the Second Amendment, who believe in exercising those constitutional rights, as well as our new constitutional protections for fishing and hunting that the voters enacted last year in the 2024 election, and added that to Florida’s Constitution,” he said. “In terms of the Second Amendment, we’ve made a lot of progress on this since I’ve been governor….You shouldn’t need a permission slip to be able to exercise your rights. We also eliminated the ability for local governments to infringe on Second Amendment rights during a so-called “State of Emergency.” No, a lot of them have not tried this since I have been governor, but we had a couple pop up. Then I have had to come over the top rope with an executive order, saying, ‘No. You don’t get to use a hurricane as a basis to go after somebody’s Second Amendment rights. That isn’t happening here.’ We were able to get that into law, so it’s not even going to be tried, though I would have batted it down, and would have done so proudly….Today, I am proud to announce the beginning of our Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, which will be no sales tax on the retail sale of firearms, ammunition, accoutrements, as well as items used for fishing, camping, and other items for hunting. That is a big deal for a lot of people.”
This sales tax holiday lasts until December 31. The state is also inviting Floridians to exercise their Second Amendment rights at one of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s public shooting sports ranges. During this sales tax holiday, the state will further commemorate citizens’ Constitutional rights for the nation’s 250th anniversary by providing half-price range passes for various ranges across the state. All public ranges in Florida will be half price on Columbus Day. On October 25 and December 6, the Tenoroc range in Lakeland will also be half price. “Florida will also celebrate America’s veterans and the freedom they have preserved for us by providing free range passes to all veterans on all ranges on Sunday, November 9, in honor of Veterans Day,” DeSantis said. “Over the past two years, we have reduced the cost of hunting and fishing licenses through promotions. In honor of America 250, we will be offering the usual $500 five-year gold sportsman’s license for $250. Cutting those costs in honor of the founding of the Republic and our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms….I know there’s going to be some of our residents who are probably going to save a pretty good chunk of change, knowing how they stock up on some of this stuff. So, enjoy it. And we are going to continue to support tax payers.”
Tax free items include:
Hunting supplies:
• Ammunition (as defined in section 790.001(1), Florida Statutes)
• Firearms, including: any weapon designed to expel a projectile by an explosive
Firearm accessories, including:
• Charging handles
• Cleaning kits
• Holsters
• Pistol grips
• Sights or optics
• Stocks
Archery gear:
• Bows and crossbows
• Bow and crossbow accessories
• Arrows
• Bolts
• Quarrels
• Quivers
• Releases
• Sights or optics
• Wrist guards
Camping and fishing supplies:
• Bait and fishing tackle priced at $5 or less (or $10 or less when sold as a set)
• Flashlights, camping lanterns, tackle boxes, or tackle bags priced at $30 or less
• Camping stoves, collapsible chairs, portable hammocks, and sleeping bags priced at $50 or less
• Rods and reels priced at $75 or less, or $150 or less if sold as a set
• Tents priced at $200 or less
For more information see: https://floridarevenue.com/huntfishcamp
