Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida reportedly announced Monday the launch of a new sales tax holiday covering firearms, ammunition, and outdoor sporting goods, a measure he framed as both an affirmation of constitutional rights and a direct benefit to families.
The holiday, which began this week and runs through the end of the year, exempts purchases of firearms, bows, crossbows, and related accessories, as well as fishing and camping equipment.
The governor presented the initiative as part of his administration’s broader defense of the Second Amendment, contrasting his record with that of Democratic leaders in the state. “She didn’t believe in the Second Amendment,” DeSantis said, referring to Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, while positioning his own policies as a reversal of what he characterized as hostility toward gun rights.
Joining the governor at the announcement was Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, a former Green Beret and state senator who has played a key role in advancing constitutional carry legislation.
Collins emphasized that the tax holiday would provide tangible relief for families who pursue hunting, shooting sports, and other outdoor traditions.
“When you talk about hunting, fishing, your Second Amendment rights, you want to buy a shotgun or rifle, a pistol, ammunition. It’s expensive, right?” Collins said. “We know that we’re taking the taxes off the top, man. Absolutely incredible.”
The program also drew praise from athletes in the shooting community. Dania Vizzi, an Olympic sport shooter, said the initiative would make it easier for families to participate in a sport she described as central to her upbringing.
“Shooting sports are a family-oriented activity and something that I learned to love by watching my dad shoot,” Vizzi said. “The exemption of sales tax on these items over the next four months will help so many Florida families, and hopefully some young, aspiring Olympians to participate in the sport that I and we all love so much.”
DeSantis positioned the holiday not only as economic relief but also as an opportunity to reaffirm constitutional freedoms.
He invited Floridians to make use of the state’s public ranges, overseen by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “During our Second Amendment holiday, we are inviting you to exercise your rights at one of FWC’s public shooting sports ranges,” he said, noting that the state will also offer free passes on select dates, including Veterans Day.
The governor’s announcement underscored his political strategy of combining cultural themes with economic measures. In an era when firearms policy often provokes fierce national debate, the Florida initiative frames gun ownership as both a family activity and a constitutional right.
By suspending sales taxes on firearms and outdoor gear, DeSantis has sought to emphasize his administration’s alignment with hunters, sports shooters, veterans, and outdoor enthusiasts.
With the holiday running through December, Florida residents will now have an extended window to purchase firearms and sporting equipment tax-free.
Supporters argue that the policy reflects not just fiscal relief, but a broader statement about the enduring place of Second Amendment rights in Florida’s political and cultural life.
[READ MORE: Trump Signals Next Round of Sanctions on Russia Amid Stalled Ukraine Talks]
