Sen. Dossett files tax incentive bill for firearm safety devices

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, has filed legislation aimed at incentivizing the use of firearm safety devices. Senate Bill 1476 would provide a state sales tax exemption to encourage more Oklahomans to take advantage of such equipment.

Dossett held an interim study on the topic last fall, with experts from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Oklahoma Rifle Association (ORA), and Everytown for Gun Safety presenting data and perspectives on the utilization of tax incentives to promote greater safety.

“I believe most Oklahomans are responsible gun owners, and many of our citizens already take advantage of firearm safety devices – the idea is to provide a financial incentive so that even more will do so,” Dossett said. “It’s something more than a dozen other states are already doing, and others are considering. It really is a commonsense bill that could help prevent injuries and deaths.”

During the interim study, Oklahoma Rifle Association President Mark Vaughan said such a tax incentive would be of benefit to Oklahomans.

“Any measure that promotes the voluntary security and storage of firearms, and that prevents unauthorized individuals, such as children, those with mental illness, and those with criminal intent—anything that prevents those individuals from ready access to firearms—we are 100 percent for,” Vaughan said in October.

Under SB 1476, a state sales tax exemption could be used for the purchase of firearm safety devices, including gun safes, cases, lock boxes, and trigger locks.

During that same October study, Associate Regional Director of Government Affairs, Tyler Smith, with Everytown for Gun Safety, said extensive research underscored the critical importance of secure storage practices in mitigating the risk of gun violence, helping prevent unintentional shootings, suicides, and gun theft.

Dossett called the potential fiscal impact negligible compared to the savings in reduced injuries and deaths in Oklahoma.

“The Tax Commission projected the revenue impact would be $271,555 but compare that to the data we heard from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed gun deaths and injuries cost Oklahoma taxpayers more than $200 million annually,” Dossett said. “This bill makes good sense in terms of public safety and sound fiscal policy, and I look forward to working with my fellow members in the 2024 session on this important issue.”

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Dossett: (405) 521-5624 or JoAnna.Dossett@oksenate.gov