S.C. plans a tax-free period on guns 11/7/2008 12:53 AM
By KAREN DAILY Staff writer
Some confusion still surrounds state legislation passed earlier this year, waiving the sales tax on handgun, rifles and shotguns during the 48 hours following the Thanksgiving holiday.
The bill passed in the General Assembly on June 4, was vetoed by the Governor on June 11 and was then overridden by the legislature later that month.
On Thursday, the Department of Revenue issued a press release announcing what they are calling the "Second Amendment" Sales Tax Holiday, but Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken said an unrelated portion of the bill that addressed ethanol blended fuel was found unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court and in-turn the sales tax holiday would not occur this year.
Other lawmakers, however have said only the portion dealing with the fuel was eliminated.
Ryberg spoke with a Department of Revenue attorney Thursday who he said he was looking into the matter further. The senator said he hoped to have some clarification soon.
A spokesperson for the Department of Revenue who issued the Thursday press release said she was familiar with the legislative quagmire, but was assured the 48-hour tax break on firearm purchases would begin at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 28 and continue through midnight Nov. 29.
The tax exemption also applies to any local sales and use tax.
It does not apply to ammunition, black powder, holsters, archery supplies and "similar items." It does not apply to antique or collectible handguns or handguns that do not fire a fixed cartridge.
The S.C. Department of Revenue has posted a list of exempt and nonexempt items and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions at www.sctax.org.
Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com
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Comment Title:
People who are obsessed with guns are often the ones who die by guns. Fools.
Posted by: On: 11/26/2008
Comment Title: great idea
This reaffirms my love for SC. In God we Trust license plates, CWP friendly, blue laws, and now a tax holiday on guns!!! Don't like it? Might I suggest a move to San Francisco???
Posted by: ShooterBob On: 11/13/2008
Comment Title: Guns aren't a necessity
The person from 11/7 who said that obviously wasn't standing where I was last Sat when some idiot tried to hit me in the head with a 12" adjustable wrench because he felt I had 'cut him off' as I backed out of my parking spot. If he'd come around the door, I'd have shot him. Period. I guess that earlier commentator would just be recovering from a nasty beating right now...
Posted by: Cale Milton On: 11/12/2008
Comment Title: Get this article to madisonparty.org !
This article should get to Madisonparty.org ... sounds like somethng they would love!
Posted by: Robert On: 11/12/2008
Comment Title: Governor's Veto?
Is it true that the allegedly conservative governor (Mark Sanford?) vetoed this bill? (from Texas)
Posted by: Roy B. Scherer On: 11/12/2008
Comment Title: Thank you, SC
A tax-free period for firearms? What a great idea! All of my grandparents lived in South Carolina, and I've spent much happy time around Columbia, Lexington, and Bullock Creek. The latter, BTW, is where I learned to safely and effectively use a rifle as a small child. Glad to hear that the SC legislature is doing something good for Freedom.
Posted by: Ad Absurdum On: 11/11/2008
Comment Title: Knife control
There's already knife control. Witness: In this state, South Carolina, I can buy a gun. I can get a permit to carry the gun, concealed, on my person. But switchblades are entirely illegal. Why? Considering that knives are useful as tools as well as deadly weapons, whereas handguns are only useful for shooting people, shouldn't it be easier for me to carry a concealed knife than a concealed gun?
Posted by: On: 11/11/2008
Comment Title: Would you believe - - -
As a 30 year, retired police supervisor/vetran, I nor any of my men I supervised ever filed a gun charge? Now we did file numerable charges against - THOSE THAT ABUSED THEM, MURDERERS, ARMED ROBBERS ETC. If gun are done away with due to their potential, will cars be next or even base ball bats? Think of - KNIFE CONTROL! Wayne Mills, Okla.City,Okla.
Posted by: ERNIE "GUNMAN" On: 11/10/2008
Comment Title: GUNMAN
WHEN OBAMA STARTS "DISTRIBUTING" THE WEALTH THE STATES SHOULD PLACE A 100% STATE (BONUS) TAX ON THOSE CHECKS AND RETURN THE MONEY TO THE VICTIMS IT WAS TAKEN FROM!!
Posted by: On: 11/10/2008
Comment Title: fearless
Long read but good. http://mwkworks.com/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html
Posted by: On: 11/10/2008
Comment Title: fearless
If guns are outlawed I feel we will see another Civil War. Americans will not lay down and take it.
Posted by: Tommy On: 11/10/2008
Comment Title: Peoples Exhibit #1: Australia
If you want to see what happens when you remove the guns from the peace-loving populous, look no further than Australia! Violent gun crime has gone through the roof. All the crooks are thanking the government for disarming their victims!!! Don't be a fool!!!
Posted by: Dave On: 11/10/2008
Comment Title: Proud of SC
I'm so happy to see this! I hope my home state follows suit (Texas). Live free or die....
Posted by: Ben On: 11/10/2008
Comment Title: Pack a gun and pay no taxes
Taxes have no right to exist to begin with. Taxation is the state's intrusion in a transaction; intrusion is a crime so taxation is a crime. All taxmen are criminals and all their bosses in the government and in the electorate are fools and thieves. If the tax looting did not exist, would disarming taxpayers be endeavored?
Posted by: Chris On: 11/10/2008
Comment Title: I have faith in S.C.
This is an interesting set of responses. The fascinating thing is the number of people that would rather have taxes than would rather have guns. Taxes never stopped a crime, guns do. Rather I'd argue that taxes cause crime, whereas guns do not. In any case I'm sure there are more people that would rather be well armed and without a government, than to be disarmed and well governed. Watch the movie/musical 1776 this year.
Posted by: Common sense budgeter On: 11/10/2008
Comment Title: Tax Free Gun Sales
Let me see - we are giving people yet another tax free weekend - this time on guns - at the same time that the state budget is in dire shape, autism funding is cut, money for purchasing land to preserve is gone, schools are short on funding, higher ed is cut, and the director of the prisons is talking about early release for prisoners. As the computer geeks would say, does not compute!
Posted by: Ad absurdum On: 11/9/2008
Comment Title: Yay!
Epigrams, platitudes and cliches, oh my! Who needs original thought when we can just spout out other people's words? Okay, okay...wait a minute, I've got one: "Well hand guns are made for killin'/ They ain't no good for nothin' else / And if you like to drink your whiskey / You might even shoot yourself / So why don't we dump 'em people / To the bottom of the sea / Before some ole fool come around here / Wanna shoot either you or me"; "Saturday Night Special," Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd. How's that? Did I do it right?
Posted by: Hillbilly In A Tree On: 11/9/2008
Comment Title: Buy more now S.C.
"If you've got a gun law that criminals will obey, why not just turn it into a murder law that criminals will obey?"
Posted by: Chicken Bone On: 11/9/2008
Comment Title: freedom
"The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." -Andrew Fletcher
Posted by: Hillbilly In A Tree On: 11/9/2008
Comment Title: Freedom
Those who give up essential liberties for temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety." -Benjamin Franklin
Posted by: On: 11/9/2008
Comment Title: Sheriff Lost His Gun
Heard the Sheriff in Aiken County had his gun stolen. Was he charged by SLED for failing to secure his weapon?
Posted by: Hillbilly In A Tree On: 11/9/2008
Comment Title: Liberals without a gun!
To all the American public. Its a great thing you people think has happened. It don't matter either way. They vote, do, act, steal and lie the same. Democrap or Replubicking! But just remeber Mr and Mrs Liberalist!!! Don't knock on my door when you can't protect your family. Just for hating on me, owning a gun. Keep on moving, they make shovels for your kind. They also charge tax on them too.
Posted by: On: 11/9/2008
Comment Title: Tax break for guns
Absolutely Incredible. Of all the things that could get a break!! Has nothing to do with the right to own a gun. You just pay sales tax as you would on anything else. This does nothing for the economy, lowers the amount of revenue for the state. Give a sales tax break for new vehicles for even a week and see how much that helps. As someone else said... Just shows how backward South Carolina really is.
Posted by: Ad absurdum On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Hey, not victim
If you're going to spread right wing propaganda, how's about learning how to spell words like "politician" and "disarmament," okay? Because you're certainly not helping the entire "ignorant hillbilly" criticism. Thanks, appreciate it.
Posted by: not victim On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: extra
attention: did you people know there is an extra tax on guns just because the it makes polititions feel good.it is part of the victim disarmerment agenda.obama wants it to be 500%.So why not let people who like guns get a small break while they still can?
Posted by: rockman54 On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: GUN TAX BREAK
One would not only read the Constitution but also the "Federalist Papers" to more fully understand the thinking of our ancesters. The sales tax that would be forfetted by the state is only a small amount of the total taxes that will be collected during the period. Anyway the tax is on the item purchased and not the "right"
Posted by: hilbilly On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title:
Yep. Hillbilly culture is alive. Just like those hillbilly jerkwater farmers who, during the broadcast of War of the Worlds, picked up thier guns to go fight against an overwhelming enemy, while the "cultured elite" just threw themselves out of the windows. They seem to have a penchant for cowardice and an overall lack of moral fiber. Pehaps they could sign a pledge to never buy a gun. Anybody who wants to pay more taxes can always donate it to the State. So put up......
Posted by: On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Oh South Carolina!!!
Just reaffirms how backward this state is! With the economy tanking and revenue at local, state and federal shrinking, good old SC comes up with this hair brain scheme! Look forward to another round of budget cuts from Columbia. Where is the money coming from? Another good idea. How about a tax cut on beer?
Posted by: Carl in Chicago On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Lack of Context
The idea of tax rescindment (in general) is wholly valid, on a number of bases. But this story lacks any context for why the legislature would so strongly favor (enough to over-ride a veto) a temporary rescindment of sales tax on firearms. Clearly some of the commentary here comes forth from irrational folks with pre-conceived notions (and apparently, a hatred for their own rights). But without any context, there really is little subject for discussion. The right of the people to own and carry arms shall not be infringed.
Posted by: Ad Absurdum On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Oh, Stacy...
...you can't tax a right! How clever. And how right you are. Religions already operate tax free, so that's covered, but what about my right to freedom of speech and the press? Well, that can't be taxed, either, right? So, books and newspapers should be tax-free. And, actually, computers are extremely useful for getting word to the masses (as we both know!), so computers must be tax-free, too! And cameras, of course, because you can print pictures on a press. Oh, and I have a right to peaceably assemble, so if I need to take a plane to a place where I'm going to peaceably assemble, I shouldn't pay taxes on the ticket, either, right? Especially if I'm flying to D.C. to petition the government for grievances. And I have the right to be secure in my person, house, papers and effects, too, right? So that means that my kevlar body armor, my security system, my safe and the combination lock I use on my gym locker should be tax-free, as well. Oh! And my guard dog - he's tax-free. And the dog food I use to feed him, his collar and his leash, they're all tax free. And, hey! What about the house itself? Hell, I've got the computer and the camera I use to express my freedom of speech in the house, so I really shouldn't have to pay taxes on the house either, should I? I mean...hell, let's be honest with each other: I shouldn't really have to pay any taxes on anything at all, right? Oh, dang it, though, then the government wouldn't have any money to pay people to enforce the laws put in place to protect my rights. And they wouldn't have any money to pay and arm the soldiers who protect my country from foreign enemies. Heck, there wouldn't be any money for the government to do anything at all, would there? So it would just come down to me with my gun and you with your gun. And that's not civilization, Stacy: it's the war of all against all. But I bet you'd like that, wouldn't you, you reactionary simpleton?
Posted by: Stacy@MACpistol.com On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: Do some of you understand the Bill of RIGHTS?
I don't think many of you comprehend what a RIGHT is. Please educate yourself on the true meaning of that word. A right cannot be taxed. If you bothered to look it up, even by using google, you'll find numerous Supreme Court cases affirming that fact. Firearms purchases shouldn't be taxed at all, but thank God that some good legislators in South Carolina had the courage to remind the rest of the nation what it means to have a RIGHT (even if it's only temporary). I am thankful for South Carolina's courageous example. I don't know of another state going out of it's way to do the right thing like this. I'm saddened though that your supposedly pro 2nd amendment governor vetoed this. Once again though, I'm thankful for courageous men who overrode that twit and made it law ANYWAY.
Posted by: Ben On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: Dear gun hater
I do not drink,nor do a lot of gun friendly people.You cannot compare guns and liquor.That is the same as compareing cars and liquor.Some people do dumb things and some people do not.
Posted by: Jethro On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: Is that the sound of a banjo playing?
A gun tax holiday just in time for Thanksgiving? What a wonderful policy! I can't think of anything more productive that our representatives could do. I'm proud to know that SC sacrifices tax revenue to keep the hillbilly culture alive and kicking. Yeeehaw!
Posted by: hoppinjon On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: Cull the herd
Why not combine the gun tax holiday with a liquor tax holiday? And what better time to do it than Thanksgiving- liquor, guns and extended family? We can rid the world of a bunch of brothers-in-law.
Posted by: Tom in Ladson On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: A Good Deal
Now maybe I'll pick up that .45 Taurus that I've been eyeballin' for a while. . .
Posted by: On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: GUNS ?? Who's BRIGHT IDEA WAS THIS ???
These has to be a mistake !!!! I would like to know his / her name who passed this in our Capital
Posted by: Ben Sczesny On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: ?
Guns not a necessity?Are you kidding me?Guns produce good food (not junk injected with chemicals and tramples around in its own feces its entire life.)Guns protect you.Guns are a last resort to an oppressive government.If you would take the time and read the constitution(preamble and all)you may open your eyes.The constitution states nothing about hunting or sporting.It is all so very clear.Oh,guns kill terrorists too,did I say they can produce clothing also.Guns enable you NOT to be a victim.I could go on all day but something tells me that your mind is shutdown with gunbaNObama.
Posted by: On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: Guns?
So let me get this straight....guns? Are you serious!
Posted by: Anonymous On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: Re:Tax break for guns
The NRA rocks!!!!
Posted by: On: 11/7/2008
Comment Title: Tax break for guns
AND what is the NEED for this? Of all the things to give people a break on this is NOT it. What about food, clothing, utilities. Those are necessities. Guns are not. If you can afford a discretionary expenditure for a gun you can pay the taxes. Food, clothing and utilities are NOT discretionary. Whoever came up with this obviously was paid by the NRA and Gun Lobby. How stupid.
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