Tax Holiday on Firearms

[galvestonredneck]

I have just read that South Carnolina is having a tax holiday for firearms.

http://www.wjbf.com/jbf/news/state_regi ... ales/8754/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What a GREAT idea!

Any chance Texas could follow there example Mr. Cotton?

Galveston Redneck

[seamusTX]

I'm not Mr. Cotton; but for Texas to do this, the Legislature would have to pass a bill and the Governor would have to sign it. Then it most likely wouldn't take effect until September 1, 2009.

Then there's the political fact that you only have so much ammunition, and you have to choose your battles.

Maybe there's an end run that would allow the comptroller to do this now, but I don't know of any.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... =9&t=20224" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[galvestonredneck]

Next Year would be OK. As long as we can still buy firearms next year--LOL It would be something to think about, call it Alamo day or Sam Houston day... I suppose "don't mess with Texas" is allready taken--LOL

Galveston Redneck

[galvestonredneck]

I'm sorry, I didn't review the older posts and have reposted a news story, Please delete this thread, I will more diligent to search before posting in the furture.

Galveston Redneck

[seamusTX]

Moderators: might want to keep it open, because it brings up a different point.

- Jim

[thankGod]

Then there's the political fact that you only have so much ammunition, and you have to choose your battles.

- Jim

seamus, I don't understand your statement.

I think a state tax free holiday would be wonderful applied to firearms and ammunition. Stimulation for the economy. I'm for introducing it now so we can have it for the future.

[seamusTX]

Whenever a bill is introduced to the legislature, some lawmakers will be in favor of it, and some will be against it.

To get it to pass, representatives and senators need to introduce matching bills in both houses. The sponsors need to get the support of the responsible committee chairmen, get the bills approved by their committees, fend off amendments that in many cases would make the bill worse than useless, and finally get the bills voted on by a majority in each house.

All of that is a lot of work. I don't know the exact percent of bills that finally become law, but it's down in the 10% range.

In the case of this tax holiday, I think it's a fine symbolic idea. The usual suspects will be against it precisely because it is a fine symbolic idea. They will label it "a gift to the gun industry," and "an NRA subsidy." Some will complain that it cuts state and local revenue when we are likely in a recession.

The tax holiday for back-to-school clothing and related items works because (1) it benefits a majority of the population, and (2) it can be said to benefit poor people and the struggling middle class. A majority of the population doesn't want a $1,000 over-under shotgun or anything like that.

If we get only one thing out of the 2009 legislature, I want it to be a parking lot bill that does not contain loopholes that any employer can use to ignore it.

- Jim

[thankGod]

Thank you,

It makes since as you explained it. Tax free for weapons would be nice, but it is not a service to the majority as is for back to school, as you mentioned. A good parking lot law to our benefit (such as in Florida) would be much better for CHLer's and 46.02s.

[hirundo82]

Some other states have tax holidays for emergency preparedness supplies and the same has been proposed for Texas. I think including firearms in such a proposal makes sense.

[seamusTX]

This is a great idea.

If the legislature passes a law creating a tax holiday for emergency preparedness, and authorizes the comptroller or some such officer to determine which items are on the tax-free list, the comptroller could quietly include firearms and ammunition after the law is set in concrete.

The law and related regulation could even exempt high-dollar collectibles and specialized weapons, which are bought only by people who can afford them whether they cost $10,000 or $10,825.

- Jim