Louisiana Legislature passes two tax breaks for gun owners from polar opposite lawmakers

Louisiana lawmakers passed two bills this week to give tax breaks to gunowners - one to encourage firearm sales and a second to encourage safe storage - from political polar opposites.

West Monroe Sen. Stewart Cathey's Senate Bill 56 would reinstate what's known at the annual Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, while New Orleans Rep. Mandie Landry's House Bill 247 would provide a $500 tax credit toward purchases of gun safe storage devices.

Both bills have been sent to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Cathey is a conservative Republican, while Landry, a Democrat, is one of the few progressives in the Louisiana Legislature, where the GOP controls a super majority in both chambers.

"This will provide welcome tax relief and help spur sales for our retailers," Cathey said. "This is something everybody has the ability to take advantage of."

Landry, meanwhile, said she hopes her bill can provide a layer of safety in Louisiana's signature city and throughout the state.

"We have high population of gunowners and need to make sure keeping them safe from kids," she said.

In a tweet, Landry said: "In 4 years of being a lege, I am the most proud of this bill. Gun rights are a divisive issue - but (the Legislature) just proved that we all agree on gun safety & responsible ownership."

"As I talk to retailers these holidays are huge not just for firearms sales, but for other retailers who benefit from people driving into markets to make these purchases," Cathey said.

The three-day sales tax exemption would take place annually on the Labor Day holiday weekend in September.

Louisiana suspended three sales tax holidays in 2018 to help address a budget crisis - the Second Amendment Holiday, Hurricane Preparedness Holiday and Back to School Holiday.

But Cathey said now is the time to reinstate the tax break for guns, ammunition and limited hunting supplies because the state is flush with cash, including about $2 billion in surplus. The bill would only exempt the state sales tax, which is currently 4.45%.

"We're in a fiscal position now where we can afford it and this is an exemption everyone can qualify for," Cathey told USA Today Network.

An estimated 53.1% of adults in the Louisiana have guns at home, the 13th highest level among states, according to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which measures only licensed weapons.

Rep. Neil Riser, a co-author, presented Cathey's bill in the House.

"I've been trying to get these sales tax holidays reinstated for years," said Riser, a Republican from Columbia. "These bills are tax relief for everyone."

More: Here's why Louisiana adults won't be able to carry a concealed handgun without permit

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana Legislature passes two tax breaks for gun owners