It’s not every day that I get to write about a Democrat doing something positive and useful, but in the interest of fairness, I’ll give credit where it is due.
Tulsa State Senator and minority whip Jo Anna Dossett is advancing a bill to eliminate sales tax on purchases of firearm safety devices such as gun safes, cases, lock boxes, trigger locks, and barrel locks from federally licensed Oklahoma dealers.
I’m not aware if the deal will extend to non-FFLs, but the sentiment is a welcome transition to education and incentive vs mandate and infringement.
Dossett hopes that Senate Bill 50 will satisfy gun safety proponents while encouraging those Americans who exercise their Second Amendment right to practice safe storage.
“I think we’re in a really sweet spot of trying something that a few states have already and have seen some success with already,” said Dossett.
The idea is one that more states are catching on to, including a recent article I wrote on a similar piece of legislation in Wisconsin.
“I just think it kind of checks all those boxes on both sides if you will of this argument… It’s very, very difficult to argue with tax relief. And I think, responsible gun owners who do make the decision to keep their guns safe and secure, and out of unauthorized users’ hands? Yeah, I think they deserve some tax relief for that,” says Dossett.
The firearm industry has long been a proponent of all things safety-related when it comes to guns, with those who act irresponsibly or with disregard for safety measures truly being the outliers that the mainstream media deceptively pushes to the front as representatives of the community. Mark Heffron, manager of Tulsa gun store Advanced Combat, supports the bill’s intent.
“We’re all in favor of any kind of safety device that can better our – or anyone’s use of a gun… I think any difference would help. It’s going to be in small increments because people flocking to buy a gun safety device or a gun locking device is gonna be pretty minimal, but I think it’s going to be a good start.” Heffron said.
Safe storage will not only protect children from coming into contact with a firearm they are not trained to use, but it will also prevent firearm thefts, which have been an issue in Tulsa County.
“I’m staying completely focused on the fiscal aspect of this bill that it is a very small and targeted reduction to state revenue that could end up paying big dividends in terms of keeping guns in the hands of those who own them, and not in unauthorized users’ hands,” Dossett said.
This is not the first time the senator has tried to pass the measure, as the bill failed to get a floor vote in last year’s legislative session. This time, it passed the Committee on Revenue and Taxation and Dossett says she plans to rally co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle to reach the governor’s desk.
