House passes bill to create a sales tax holiday for guns, ammo., and weapons accessories

February 24, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama House of Representatives passed controversial legislation to create a sales tax holiday three day weekend every October for gun, ammunition, archery, and hunting supplies.

House Bill 360 (HB360) is sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville).

Representative Reed Ingram (R-Montgomery) said, "This is a good bill. I means more people will buy guns the right way (at stores rather than in person to person sales). It will keep the black-market gun sales to a minimum."

Rep. Pete Riehm (R-Abbeville) said that "With the 250th anniversary of this country" he is proud to support this pro- Second Amendment legislation.

Democratic members of the Legislature were less enthused by the legislation.

Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville), the House Minority Leader, asked. "What is the fiscal note of this?"

Sells answered, "$360,000."

State Representative Chris Sells (R-Greenville)

Daniels asked, "Why are we spending time on this when we have families that are struggling to afford groceries."

Sells said, "It is popular with people in my district."

"When I think of priorities and what people are really concerned about I think of putting food on the table and healthcare," said Daniels. "There are individuals having a hard time at the grocery store making ends meet."

Daniels asked Sells why he is bringing this bill instead of one to remove the remaining two percent state tax on groceries.

"I want to make sure this $360,000 doesn't become $300 million (the estimated loss of revenue the state would incur by eliminating that two percent grocery tax)," answered Sells.

Daniels said, "I am more interested in things that will help the general public."

Sells responded, "As crime increases people will want a gun for self-protection. I have heard from a lot of people that support this."

"I don't have a problem with these types of issues, but I would rather see us reduce the cost of groceries and things that people purchase every day," stated Daniels. "We should refocus our priority on the things that help the people and not a small group of people."

Anthony Daniels Facebook

House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels

Rep. Patrice "Penni" McClammy (D-Montgomery) asked, "Why do you think this is important?"

Sells responded, "A lot of people hunt a lot of people buy guns for self-protection. Some people hunt. They like to get their family involved in hunting. Different people have different objectives."

Sells explained that the more hunters the state has the more hunting licenses it sells and the more money the state makes off the sale of hunting licenses and hunting/fishing equipment which is taxed. The sales tax holiday will be a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday likely in October.

"I wish we had as much enthusiasm to work on the education trust fund," said McClammy. "I have a problem in this climate with reducing the cost of guns."

McClammy said, "I filed a bill to remove the two percent tax on groceries. I find it amusing that your bill came up ahead of my bill."

"You talk about the education trust fund. That would be a lot more than $350,000. That would be more like $300 million (In lost state revenues)," said Sells.

Sells said, "This is more than just guns and ammo. It is also hunting supplies, archery supplies, its not just guns."

"We want to take our kids hunting," said Ingram. "It's a win win for everybody. I don't think it is going to have a negative effect at all. I think it brings more money in than it costs. I think it is a good bill."

Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) said that shots were fired upon while she was in a Mardi Gras parade in Mobile.

"More and more guns are being stolen out of cars," said Drummond. "Kids are stealing them from their parents."

"This is the leading cause of death (murder, suicide, and accidental shootings) of children," said Drummond.

New House Majority Leader Paul Lee (R-Dothan) then presented a motion in writing asking to cloture the House debate, That passed in a largely party line vote 72 to 29 limiting the remaining debate.

Sells said, "I want to reduce the cost (of buying guns) but I did not want to reduce the cost all the time (by removing the four percent gun tax all year). It is family involvement, self- protection. We heard about guns being stolen. When a gun is stolen it has to be replaced."

Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) said, "I told my colleagues when the first letter in writing came that it was open season."

HB360 passed the House of Representative by a vote of 73 to 29. It now goes to the Senate for their consideration. Tuesday was day 15 of the 2026 Alabama Regular Legislative session – the halfway point.

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