As an American, every law-abiding citizen has the right to bear arms. This weekend, Mississippi residents have the opportunity to celebrate that freedom by purchasing firearms and supplies without paying the seven percent sales tax during the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday.
Through the end of Sunday, Aug. 27, sales tax will not be due on purchases of firearms, ammunition and certain hunting supplies, which Scott Davis, owner of Davis Sports & Outdoors in Picayune, said can save people hundreds of dollars.
“It’s natural that everyone wants to save money, so if you plan to buy firearms or any type of hunting supplies in the next year, this is the time to do it,” Davis said. “I’ve already had people come say they’re Christmas shopping for their loved ones.”
According to a release from the Mississippi Department of Revenue, “hunting supplies” includes the following items: archery equipment, firearm and archery cases, hearing protection, holsters, firearm and archery accessories and belts and slings.
Some of the non-eligible items for the tax holiday include ammo boxes, backpacks, ATVs, animal feed, apparel such as safety gear, camouflage clothing, jackets, hats and gloves, tree stands, knives, fishing equipment, decoys and other items not categorized as hunting supplies. A complete list of eligible and non-eligible items can be found on the Mississippi Department of Revenue website.
Purchasing non-eligible items with eligible items in a bundled transaction must be itemized separately and taxed accordingly, otherwise the entire transaction will be taxed, the release states.
Refunds and exchanges made of items purchased this weekend are taxable if exchanged after the tax holiday. However, the only exception is if an eligible item was purchased during the holiday and later exchanged for a different color, size, etc. of the same item, then sales tax is not to be charged even if the exchange is after the tax holiday.
“You will regret not buying something if you end up purchasing a firearm or hunting supplies later this year. It’s just a smart time to take advantage of not having to pay taxes,” Thom Kelly, owner of Kelly Firearms, said. “A lot of people use this holiday to purchase big ticket items and save a ton of money doing so.”
Pawn shops around Picayune are also participating in the sales tax holiday this weekend.