NW Georgia News

Georgia State Senator Jason Anavitarte has proposed the "Second Amendment Tax Holiday Act" in order to encourage hunting and boost the state's conservation and tourism sectors. The legislation aims to eliminate sales tax on firearms, ammunition, and related accessories for an 11-day period around the Whitetail Deer hunting season.

In a press release by the Georgia General Assembly, Senator Anavitarte emphasized the ecological benefits of hunting in managing the deer population and its substantial economic contributions to Georgia. He highlighted that hunting plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced deer population, preventing agricultural damage, and minimizing road accidents in the absence of natural predators.

The press release also cited the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which revealed that hunters in 2019 generated $977 million in retail sales, leading to an annual ripple effect of $1.6 billion. Furthermore, hunting supported 23,996 jobs and contributed $600 million in salaries and earnings. Senator Anavitarte hopes that by eliminating sales tax for a designated period, the proposal will expand the base of hunters and increase the overall tax revenue dedicated to conservation.

The proposed legislation has gained attention due to the significant economic impact of hunting in Georgia. The press release stated that the state hosts nearly 630,000 hunters who collectively spend over 9.9 million days in the field, utilizing both private lands and Georgia's 104 Wildlife Management Areas for their hunting activities.

Senator Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus and represents Senate District 31, encompassing Paulding and Polk Counties, according to the press release by the Georgia General Assembly.

The Senator expressed his enthusiasm for the proposed legislation on social media, stating, "Look forward to working with the legislature to make this Second Amendment Tax Holiday a reality! #gapol"