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Subcommittee hears substitute bill allowing up to $300 tax credit for safe firearm storage or training
Summary
A substitute to House Bill 79 would let taxpayers use up to $300 of state income-tax liability toward approved firearm safe-storage devices or in-person safety training; proponents called it voluntary, targeted and complementary to existing school-safety efforts.
Representative (surname Newton in transcript) presented a substitute to House Bill 79 (LC51085-S), proposing a voluntary, capped state tax credit to encourage safe storage and optional firearm-safety training. Under the plan, a taxpayer could use up to $300 of their state income-tax liability to purchase certified safe-storage devices or attend approved in-person firearm-safety courses. The measure would be capped and include a five-year sunset.
"House Bill 79 allows you to use $300 of whatever tax you owe the state, instead of having to write a check to the state for that $300, you can purchase a safe storage device or you can get, in person safe firearm handling," the sponsor said, framing the proposal as a voluntary tool to reduce unintentional injury and youth access without criminal penalties or mandate.
The sponsor emphasized safety data and called the measure one tool among many to reduce firearm injuries and deaths among young people, noting that about 30% of firearm deaths in the 1–19 age group were suicides and that assaults make up a larger share. The sponsor said the NRA had conveyed written support and described the proposal as non‑mandatory and non‑punitive.
Committee members asked technical questions about administration: whether the credit is refundable (it is not), whether married filers could claim the credit twice (each taxpayer could claim the credit separately), and whether the Department of Revenue would maintain records; the bill bars creation of a public list of participants.
Representative Newton and members requested further drafting on outreach, device definitions and the program cap; the measure will return for additional committee work. The bill previously passed the full House 62–3 in an earlier session; this committee heard the substitute version and received no final vote at the hearing.
