Bill could eliminate sales tax for firearms, archery implements

SHERIDAN (WNE) — A bill to eliminate the sales tax for firearms and archery implements is advancing in the Wyoming Senate.

Senate File 58, “Elimination of sales tax on firearms,” would do exactly as the bill title states: remove sales tax from the purchase of firearms. But after an amendment from Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, archery implements such as a bow, crossbow, arrows, arrow points, bolts and broadheads would also be included on the exemption.

The primary bill sponsor Sen. Jared Olsen, R-Cheyenne, said he feels owning a firearm for self defense, hunting or sport is a fundamental right granted by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As such, he said “we should make it as affordable as possible for the average Wyomingite.”

Wyoming would become the first state to eliminate sales tax on firearms purchases if the bill passes.

“I think Wyoming has an opportunity to hold itself out to be a very pro-Second Amendment state by eliminating the sales tax,” Olsen said.

Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said many Wyomingites own guns and are not struggling to purchase them.

“I don’t feel like it’s a struggle we’re trying to resolve,” Rothfuss said.

The firearm exemption would fall under the economic incentive category for sales tax exemptions in Wyoming statute. It would be in the same category as aircraft repair; computer software; the sale of farm implements; the sale of equipment to build a new coal gasification or coal liquefaction facility; and the sale of newspapers.

Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, was also critical of removing a sales tax.

This story was published on January 27, 2025.