AUSTIN — The Texas Senate has approved a plan that would allow shoppers to buy guns, ammunition and hunting supplies without having to pay sales taxes during the last weekend in August.
The state already designates annual sales tax-free weekends for the purchase of some school supplies and energy-efficient appliances. Sen. Brandon Creighton’s plan would extend the same exemption to firearm purchases.
The Conroe Republican noted that Louisiana established in 2009 a tax-free weekend for guns, ammo and hunting supplies during the first weekend in September.
He said Texas’ failure to follow suit has put hunting and firearms retailers near the border with Louisiana at a disadvantage.
According to a legislative analysis, Creighton’s plan would cost the state more than $11 million in lost sales tax revenue during Texas’ two-year budgetary cycle.
