The neighboring states of Louisiana and Mississippi will each observe a "Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday" Sept. 5 – 7 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 will mark the first year for Mississippi to follow suit. On its way to Gov. Phil Bryant's desk, 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.
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.
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves (R) visited Van's Sporting Goods in Rankin County and reminded Mississippi gun owners and sportsmen to take advantage of this weekend's special buying event.
"With dove season underway and deer season less than a month away, this weekend is a great time to take advantage of this tax break," Lt. Gov. Reeves said. "Mississippians love to hunt, and this sales tax holiday makes it a little less expensive to enjoy the outdoors. I'm thankful for the support of the National Rifle Association on this effort and many other strong Second Amendment protections we've recently passed."
In his remarks, Reeves also reminded Mississippians to support Amendment 1, the NRA-backed Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendment that will appear on the November 4 general election ballot. This important safeguard will ensure that future wildlife conservation and management decisions are based on sound science and will protect the state's strong sporting heritage for generations to come.
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.