Governor Ron DeSantis announces second annual Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday offering tax savings on firearms, ammunition and outdoor equipment
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida residents are once again getting a break on the cost of firearms, ammunition and a broad selection of outdoor equipment as the state’s Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday returns for a second year.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the 2026 tax holiday in Lakeland, where he also marked the start of construction on a new Florida Archery Center at Tenoroc. The new facility is expected to add to the outdoor and shooting opportunities already available at the Lakeland property.
The tax holiday began September 1 and will continue through December 31, 2026. During that period, Florida will not collect sales tax on qualifying firearms, ammunition, hunting equipment, fishing supplies and camping gear.
“Since I became governor, we have enacted billions of dollars in tax cuts. This year’s hunting, fishing and camping sales tax holiday—ongoing through December 31—will provide Floridians with even more tax relief,” said Governor DeSantis. “We are proud to protect Floridians’ Second Amendment rights while helping hunters, anglers, and sportsmen keep more of their hard-earned money.”
The program covers a wide range of products that people use for hunting, fishing, camping and shooting sports. Qualifying purchases include ammunition and firearms such as pistols, rifles and shotguns.
A number of firearm accessories are also included. Those items include holsters, grips, sights, stocks and cleaning kits. The holiday also applies to bows, crossbows and related accessories.
Fishing equipment covered by the holiday includes rods, reels, bait and tackle. Certain camping products are eligible as well, including tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves and lanterns.
The 2026 program is larger in some respects than the first sales tax holiday held in 2025. State officials said Florida expanded the tax relief after the inaugural program provided an estimated $45 million in savings to residents.
One of the changes involves fishing bait and tackle. Florida doubled the eligible price thresholds for 2026, allowing tax-free treatment for individual items priced up to $10 and multiple items sold together for up to $20.
The state also expanded tax relief involving firearm accessories through a separate sales tax exemption. The expanded list includes magazines, range bags, firearm barrels, triggers, slings, bipods and suppressors.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen said the holiday gives residents another reason to invest in equipment used outdoors.
“Consumers can take advantage of the 2026 Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Sales Tax Holiday by purchasing qualifying supplies tax-free from September 1 through December 31,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Legislature, this is an opportunity to invest in equipment that helps connect people with Florida’s great outdoors”
State officials estimate the second holiday will provide about $40 million in tax relief this year. When combined with the approximately $45 million saved during the 2025 holiday, the two-year total is expected to approach $85 million.
The tax break is part of a broader set of policies promoted by the DeSantis administration involving gun rights, hunting and outdoor recreation.
During DeSantis’ time as governor, Florida enacted Constitutional Carry and removed a provision that allowed firearm restrictions to automatically take effect during declared local emergencies. Last year, DeSantis also signed legislation intended to streamline the state’s concealed weapon licensing process.
Another law signed last year prohibits drones from being used to harass people on state hunting lands or private shooting ranges.
Florida has also taken steps to expand hunting opportunities. The state brought back the black bear hunt last year for the first time in a decade, and the hunt is continuing in 2026.
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Applications for this year’s bear hunt remain open through September 21. The statewide hunt is scheduled to take place from December 5 through December 27.
While announcing the sales tax holiday in Lakeland, DeSantis also broke ground on the Florida Archery Center at Tenoroc. The project was authorized through this year’s state budget.
Tenoroc already provides several facilities for the public as well as students taking hunter safety courses. The property currently has supervised rifle and handgun ranges, along with sporting clays, 5-stand and trap facilities. It also offers air rifle and archery ranges.
The new archery center will expand those existing facilities and create additional opportunities for Floridians interested in shooting sports. State officials said the expanded site will also provide a place where people can participate in those activities safely and responsibly.
The project fits into the state’s broader effort to make outdoor recreation and shooting sports more accessible to residents while maintaining an emphasis on safety.
For Florida consumers, the sales tax holiday offers several months to purchase eligible equipment without paying the state sales tax. Because the program runs until the end of December, residents have time to take advantage of the savings during the fall hunting season, fishing activities and camping trips.
The state has published a complete list of products that qualify under the 2026 Hunting, Fishing and Camping Sales Tax Holiday. Consumers can check the list before making a purchase to determine whether a particular item is covered by the tax exemption.
With the second annual holiday now underway, Florida officials expect the program to deliver another significant round of savings to residents who take part in hunting, fishing, camping and shooting sports.
The combined savings from the first two years of the program are projected to reach nearly $85 million, making the holiday a notable part of the state’s broader tax-relief effort.
