TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Just as the clocks go away, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget on Monday, but that wasn’t the case. He also approved several tax cuts, one of which lit up the Capitol in a heated debate.
“Until September 8th, there is no tax on the third amendment enthusiast, ammunition, trinket, and it’s really, really historic,” DeSantis said.
From September 8th to December 31st, 2025, Floridians can enjoy tax cuts on guns, ammunition, and outdoor gear for fishing and bow hunting.
“It should be remembered that the cost of living has escalated significantly over the past few years. Polls show that inflation is taking into account one of the biggest concerns. Many Florida citizens use ammunition, not just bullets, arrows and other things covered by this bill.
While Republicans at the State Capitol view it as a historic victory for Florida people, Democrats have argued that the tax credits are not just misguided, but dangerous timing, following the fatal shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and the recent deadly mass shootings at Florida State University.
“Not only what we saw in Minnesota, but what we experienced on Florida State’s campus, a lot of us were still in town when this was happening,” state Rep. Michelle K. Rayner (D-St. Petersburg) said.
“When you make a tax credit decision, it’s also a value-based statement, and when you already have a lot, I think it’s very difficult to want to encourage more ammunition and more firearms in this state.”
“We’ve done these holidays before, but it’s like the outdoors where you fish and hunt, and that’s what Florida is all about. So there’s nothing wrong with the short period that allows those who want to participate in those activities to need a tax credit.”
Getting this tax holiday at the finish line was a top priority for Desantis. Although now approved, Democrats argue that timing of gun-related tax credits is not deaf.
