Senate panel backs temporary $300 tax credit for firearm safety training and storage

The Senate Finance Committee unanimously advanced a proposal to offer Georgians a temporary, voluntary tax credit to offset the cost of firearm safety training and secure storage.

Majority Leader Annabarte presented House Bill 79, saying the bill “allows up to $300 of your tax obligation to go toward any one of those things” — referring to training or safe‑storage devices. The sponsor told the committee the program would run for five years and that the House fiscal note set a maximum of $10 million per year.

The bill would allow eligible filers to apply for a $300 annual credit; a sponsor explained the Department of Revenue would preapprove applications for the year but would not maintain a lifetime list of recipients, a provision designed to avoid creating a registry of applicants. The proposal also includes a four‑day state sales‑tax exclusion at the start of hunting season for certain purchases of firearms, safes and storage devices.

Committee members raised concerns about adding more targeted credits while the Legislature considers broader income‑tax reductions. The sponsor acknowledged that if the state eliminated income tax, such credits would become moot and positioned the measure as a temporary program intended to promote safety and secure storage.

Members also asked procedural questions about how filers would claim the credit and whether $300 would be sufficient for training and equipment; the sponsor said many classes cost $100–$150, leaving room to purchase a device the following year.

A motion to report the bill out of committee was made by the majority leader, seconded by Senator Harbin, and passed by raised hands; the transcript records a unanimous committee vote to advance the bill.

The bill will proceed with its fiscal note in committee files; sponsors said they will continue to provide information to members as questions arise.