New Tax-Free Weekend Targets Guns And Hunting Gear

Alabama has a tax-free weekend for school supplies and another for emergency preparedness supplies. Now, a bill passed by the Alabama House of Representatives would add a tax-free weekend for guns, ammunition, and accessories.

House Bill 360 would annually make the last weekend in August a tax holiday, during which the gross proceeds would be exempt from state sales and use tax. Local city and county governing bodies would also be able to vote to join the tax-free weekend.

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Formally entitled "The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday", the law would exempt:

•  AMMUNITION: Cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellant powder designed for use in any firearm.
• FIREARMS: A shotgun, rifle, pistol, revolver, or other handgun.
• HUNTING SUPPLIES: Tangible personal property used for hunting, limited to archery equipment, firearm and archery cases, firearm and archery accessories, hearing protection, holsters, belts, slings, and suppressors.

The bill is sponsored by Greenville Rep. Chris Sells (R-90) and is co-sponsored by 58 house members, including West Alabama Representatives Russell Bedsole, Ron Bolton, Bryan Brinyark, and Bill Lamb. All are Republicans.

During floor debate Rep. Sells pointed out that there are already two tax break weekends, and his bill opens up the process to a new group of people.

A Fiscal Note from analyst Mathieu Fuller identifies the downside to the legislation.

"House Bill 360 as introduced would decrease annual sales tax receipts to the Education Trust Fund by an estimated $386,000, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, by establishing an annual sales tax holiday for ammunition, firearms, and hunting supplies.

 

This bill could also decrease receipts to county and municipal funds by an estimated $506,000 annually, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, if the respective local governments adopt the sales tax holiday."

The lost revenue concerns some Democrats. “Families are struggling to afford groceries,” House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, stated during debate. “We got individuals that are struggling with their health care premiums, and we’re prioritizing giving a holiday for guns and we can’t do it for services that people need.”

Other Democrats voiced concern for increased guns sales contributing to more gun violence in the state.

Proponents emphasized the revenue that will increase for retail businesses because hunting is one of the biggest businesses in Alabama.

The bill passed the house along party lines and now goes to the senate.