Florida tax-free guns are a real thing, but only on a schedule. The state waives its six-percent sales tax on firearms, ammunition, and listed accessories during a fall hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday. In 2025 that window ran September 8 through December 31, and the 2026 version is set to run September 1 through December 31.1Executive Office of the Governor. Governor Ron DeSantis Announces First-Ever Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday2Florida Senate. 2026 Tax Relief Package On a $1,500 rifle, that’s roughly $90 off before any local surtax. Firearm safety devices like gun safes and trigger locks are exempt every day of the year under a separate permanent law.
When the Holiday Runs
Governor DeSantis signed Florida’s first “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday” in 2025, covering September 8 through December 31.1Executive Office of the Governor. Governor Ron DeSantis Announces First-Ever Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday For 2026, the Legislature passed HB 7031E, which includes a four-month hunting, fishing, and camping holiday scheduled from September 1 through December 31, 2026.2Florida Senate. 2026 Tax Relief Package
The holiday isn’t permanent. Each year it needs fresh legislation, so dates, eligible items, and any price thresholds can shift from session to session. The Legislature has renewed and expanded the framework so far, but nothing guarantees it will return in the same form in future years.
What Qualifies as a Tax-Free Firearm
During the holiday, the exemption covers the retail sale of firearms defined as weapons capable of firing a missile using an explosive charge as a propellant. In practical terms, that’s pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Bows and crossbows qualify too, along with arrows, bolts, quivers, releases, sights, and wrist guards.3Florida Department of Revenue. 2025 Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Sales Tax Holiday
No price caps applied to firearms or ammunition in 2025. A $2,000 rifle and a $15 box of shells both came out fully exempt.
Ammunition
Ammunition qualifies only if it contains all three components: a hull or casing with a primer, one or more projectiles or shot, and gunpowder. Loose brass, standalone primers, and other components sold separately don’t count.3Florida Department of Revenue. 2025 Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Sales Tax Holiday
Accessories
The 2025 accessory list was strictly limited to:
- Holsters
- Pistol grips
- Sights and optics
- Stocks
- Cleaning kits
- Charging handles
The 2026 legislation reportedly expands that list to include items like magazines, slings, range bags, shooting mats, and triggers. Because the Florida Department of Revenue had not yet published its final Tax Information Publication for 2026 at the time of writing, confirm the current accessory list on the Department’s website before a large purchase.
What Doesn’t Qualify
The 2025 rule was blunt: if an accessory wasn’t on the list, it wasn’t exempt. The Department of Revenue named silencers, suppressors, magazines, and any unlisted items as still taxable.3Florida Department of Revenue. 2025 Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Sales Tax Holiday Some of those categories may fall inside the 2026 list, but the underlying principle carries: the eligible list is the eligible list.
Other items that typically stay taxable include clothing, tactical gear, plate carriers, muzzle devices, compensators, and small internal parts like springs and pins. The holiday also doesn’t apply to purchases for commercial or resale use. A retailer stocking inventory or a range buying rental firearms pays the full rate.
Firearm Safety Devices Are Tax-Free Year-Round
Separate from the holiday, Florida permanently exempts firearm safety devices from sales tax under Section 212.08(2)(sss) of the Florida Statutes.4Florida Legislature. Florida Code 212.08 – Sales, Rental, Use, Consumption, Distribution, and Storage Tax; Specified Exemptions The exemption took effect July 1, 2023, and applies every day of the year.5Florida Department of Revenue. Firearm Safety Devices – Tax Information Publication
Two categories qualify. Storage devices include gun safes, firearm lockboxes, firearm cases, and similar containers designed to store a firearm and unlocked only by a key, combination, or equivalent mechanism. Locking devices include trigger locks and cable locks that prevent a firearm from being operated without first deactivating the device, also requiring a key, combination, or similar mechanism to unlock.4Florida Legislature. Florida Code 212.08 – Sales, Rental, Use, Consumption, Distribution, and Storage Tax; Specified Exemptions
No price cap applies. A $1,500 safe gets the same exemption as a $25 trigger lock.
Buying Online and Out of State
Online purchases qualify for the holiday as long as the retailer or marketplace accepts the order during the holiday window for immediate shipment. The item doesn’t have to arrive before the holiday ends. An order counts as accepted when the seller assigns an order number, sends a confirmation email, or stamps a received date on a mail order.6Florida Department of Revenue. Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Backordered items still qualify as long as you didn’t request a delayed shipment.
Retailers remove the tax automatically at the register or checkout page. You don’t file paperwork or claim a refund after the fact for a straightforward in-state purchase.
Firearms bought online from an out-of-state dealer add a step. Federal law requires the gun to ship to a licensed dealer (FFL) in Florida for the background check and transfer. The out-of-state seller may or may not drop Florida sales tax at checkout during the holiday. If they don’t, you may need to request a refund from the Florida Department of Revenue rather than count on the selling retailer to correct it. The FFL transfer fee itself, typically around $40 to $50, is a separate charge and isn’t affected by the holiday.
One boundary worth noting: Florida runs a separate “Freedom Month” holiday in July for outdoor recreation gear, but firearms and ammunition have historically been covered under the fall hunting holiday rather than the July window.7Florida Department of Revenue. 2024 Freedom Month Sales Tax Holiday For a tax-free gun purchase, plan around September through December.