The neighboring states of Louisiana and Mississippi will each observe a “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday” Sept. 4 through 6 in which shooters and sportsmen may purchase firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows and a full array of hunting and outdoor products free of state sales tax obligations.
The Louisiana sportsman’s tax-break weekend has been in place since 2009. This year will mark the second year for Mississippi.
Prior to reaching Gov. Phil Bryant’s desk in 2014, NRA-supported Senate Bill 2425 passed the Mississippi House of Representatives by a lopsided 101 to 16 vote prior to Senate ratification. It became law July 1, 2015.
Defined in the bill, “firearms” refers to handguns, rifles and shotguns. “Hunting supplies” means tangible personal property used for hunting, including, but not limited to, accessories, bows, crossbows, arrows, hunting apparel, hunting footwear, bags, float tubes, binoculars, tools, firearm and archery cases, firearm and archery accessories, range finders, knives, decoys, treestands, blinds, chairs, optics, hearing protection and enhancements, holsters, belts and slings.
Laura Hipp, a spokeswoman for Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' office, said the holiday was designed to be a tax break for state residents who needed to buy hunting supplies.
“Hunting is the favorite pastime of so many Mississippians and a major tourism draw for rural areas,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said in a news release. “The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is a way to make these sports a little less expensive and encourage more families to enjoy the outdoors.”
This weekend’s Second Amendment Tax Holiday in both Louisiana and Mississippi does not affect the collection of federal excise tax paid on firearms, ammunition and bowhunting equipment under terms of the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.
