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Sponsors pitch sales‑tax holiday for firearm safety devices; LSC upper‑bound revenue impact $2.7 million
Summary
Representatives Dieter and Fisher said House Bill 330 would exempt firearm safety and storage devices from sales tax during four months (March, April, November, December); LSC estimated an upper‑bound revenue loss of about $2.7 million per year, sponsors said.
Representatives Dieter and Fisher told the House Ways and Means Committee that House Bill 330 would create a sales‑and‑use‑tax exemption for firearm safety and storage devices during March, April, November and December to encourage safe storage.
"This proposal is a rare point of unity in the broader discussion surrounding firearms," Dieter said, framing the measure as an incentive rather than a mandate. He told the committee that Legislative Service Commission (LSC) figures showed an upper‑bound annual revenue reduction of about $2.7 million at full participation, with most of the loss borne by the General Revenue Fund and smaller shares to local governments and the Public Library Fund.
Members asked how the four months were selected and whether the exemption might be gamed compared with a full, year‑round exemption. Dieter said LSC derived the timing from background‑check data and retail sales patterns and that the months align with tax‑refund and holiday shopping seasons to maximize participation. Representative Clique said she would prefer a broader exemption covering firearms sales, but sponsors said the measure intentionally targets safety devices to increase safe storage adoption while minimizing revenue impact.
Sponsors described the bill as nonregulatory and suitable for stakeholders on multiple sides of firearm policy; no formal vote was taken. The committee did not receive opposing testimony during the hearing, and sponsors offered to provide LSC documentation to members.
