By Jennifer Whitlock
Field Editor

As of Sept. 1, firearm safety equipment in Texas is tax-free, thanks to a bill passed during the regular session of the 87th Texas Legislature.

Items designed to ensure the safe handling and storage of a firearm—such as gun safes, firearm lock boxes, barrel locks, trigger locks, arms safety training manuals and electronic publications of the same nature—are now exempt from sales tax, according to Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hagar.

“Senate Bill 313 exempts firearms safety equipment from sales and uses tax, which is 6.25% for the state and mostly, depending on the city, another 2%. So that’s 8.25% potential savings for anyone who wants to purchase something to better secure their firearms,” Hegar said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network.

His office is working on updating the agency’s website, where the final rule regarding items qualifying for exemption should be published within 30 days.

With hunting season in full swing, the effective date of the bill is timely.

“If we can utilize this exemption as another mechanism to incentivize Texans to make sure to keep their firearms in a safe manner or having them in a gun safe or with a trigger lock, that is money very well spent,” he said. “It’s at a little fiscal cost to the state, but the health and safety of other individuals and our kids is way more important than a few million dollars into the state treasury.”

Retailers should already be aware and prepared to offer customers the exemption, and no special certificate is needed. Hegar noted the Texas Retailers Association has been working to make retailers aware of any legislative changes from the last session, but there may be some smaller retailers who have not yet been informed of the tax changes to firearm safety equipment purchases.

If that happens, he said the best way to inform a retailer would be to refer them to the Comptroller website after the final rule is posted. Alternately, someone can go directly to the text version of the bill on their phone and show it to the retailer.

Purchases made from Texas retailers both in-store and online qualify for the tax exemption.

“Like myself, many Texans grew up hunting and fishing, and we really enjoy the outdoors and sporting activities,” Hegar said. “But we also want to incentivize people to continue to practice firearm safety. This sales tax exemption on gun locks and safes and other trigger or barrel locks goes an extra step to ensure our youth continue to enjoy hunting, enjoy the outdoors, but are safe and secure, as well.”

Details on the gun safety equipment sales tax exemption will soon be made available here.