Last week, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a "Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday."
BamaCarry, which bills itself as "Alabama’s only ‘No Compromise’ gun rights group," is rejecting the proposal, sending an alert to its members to have House Bill 360 (HB360), sponsored by State Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville), amended.
The sales tax holiday would occur annually during the last weekend in August. The gross proceeds from the sale of ammunition, firearms and firearm accessories would be exempt from state sales and use tax.
The bill has 57 co-sponsors and has the support of the National Rifle Association, which issued an alert to its members urging them to contact their legislators in support of the bill.
BamaCarry described the legislation as a "weak-kneed half measure."
"Alabama gun owners are being sold a weak-kneed half measure and told to call it a win. HB360 is not real Second Amendment reform. It creates a temporary 'Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday' on the last weekend in August for firearms, ammunition, and certain hunting supplies," BamaCarry's Taylor D. Rhodes wrote. "The worst part, it even lets local governments decide whether they want to participate."
"That is not a pro-gun...That is a gimmick, pandering to honest gun owners," he added.
The group is instead asking the Senate to amend the bill to make it a full and permanent tax break.
"Gun owners should not settle for a temporary tax holiday. We should demand permanent repeal of Alabama state and local sales taxes and excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, suppressors, firearm components, magazines, and other constitutionally protected arms and accessories," Rhodes stated.
The bill will be heard in the Senate Finance and Taxation Education.
BamaCarry will host its "BamaCarry 11th Annual Freedom Conference" this Saturday, March 14 in Childersburg, AL. Tickets are still available on their website.
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