Editorials Archive

Hunting gear to see tax breaks this weekend
, Publisher
09-01-2010

Now is the time when many Louisiana residents purchase gear for the upcoming hunting season.

Fortunately, outdoor lovers might find hunting expenses more affordable if they choose to go shopping this weekend.

The Louisiana Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday — passed by the state legislature in 2009 — provides an exemption from state and local sales and use taxes on individuals’ purchases of firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies on the first Friday through Sunday of each September.

This means from Friday-Sunday, shoppers will not have to pay state or local taxes on a variety of items. Just a few of those items include the following:

• All-terrain vehicles
• Firearms and ammunition
• Camouflage clothing marketed for hunting
• Archery items
• Bags used for carrying game or hunting gear
• Animal food used primarily for game
• Vessels such as airboats and pirogues designed and intended for hunting.

The popularity of hunting in Louisiana is apparent by not only the large amount of outdoors paraphernalia in area stores, but also in statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau website reveals a survey that shows that 1.2 million people ages 16 or older fished, hunted or wildlife watched in Louisiana in 2006. That same year, state residents and nonresidents spent $2 billion on wildlife recreation in Louisiana. The bulk of these expenditures were equipment purchases.

Some area storeowners are adjusting their hours and increasing their staff this weekend in anticipation of a crowd.

If residents choose to take advantage of the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday this weekend, they would be wise to do so in Lincoln Parish. Although shoppers will not have to pay the sales taxes that would benefit local schools and government agencies, they will still help boost the local economy by keeping their browsing close to home. When residents help local businesses to succeed, it can help maintain or even increase the local employment rate. As a result, more people will shop at other local businesses and eat at area restaurants, and consequently, strengthen the economy even more.