Oklahoma looks to eliminate state tax on purchases of gun safes, lockboxes, and trigger locks

A bill filed by a Democratic state senator from Oklahoma would include firearm safety devices in a law that exempts them from state taxes.

State Senator Jo Anna Dossett (D) introduced SB 1476, which is described in official documents as "exempting sales tax on purchase of gun safes and guns safety devices."

The purpose is reportedly to encourage more Oklahoma residents to take advantage of gun safety equipment, KJRH reported. The outlet claimed that Dossett cited a study on the issue that was conducted in autumn 2023 and that the legislation has received support from the Oklahoma Rifle Association as well as the organization Everytown.

"Most Oklahomans are responsible gun owners and many already use such devices," Dossett claimed. "This tax exemption will encourage even more responsible gun owners to use them."

Under the proposed amendment, firearm safety devices would be exempted from Oklahoma's state sales tax of 4.5%. This reportedly includes gun safes, gun cases (presumably with a lock of some kind), lockboxes, and trigger locks.

Trigger locks can be defined as a "small plastic or metal device that fits over and through a gun’s trigger guard, impeding one’s ability to shoot," according to Slate, which wrote about the topic in a blog critical of those opposed the devices.

"The cost to the state will be $166,000, but when you compare that to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing gun deaths and injuries cost Oklahoma taxpayers more than $200 million a year, it’s clear this is a common-sense bill that promotes both public safety and sound fiscal policy," the Democrat stated.

"I’m grateful to the members of the Finance Committee for their support and look forward to advancing this important legislation," she added.

Everytown, a nonprofit supporting the legislation, was started by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The organization claims to be "non-partisan"; however it lists being "intersectional" as one of its core values. The word is typically associated with left-wing racial identity politics and is defined by Syracuse University as "the study of overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination."

Everytown also has a lengthy diversity statement, which notes that it applies "a racial equity lens to assess proposed policies, practices, and programs."

Bloomberg's ideological alignments have varied greatly throughout his political career. Before 2001 he was a Democrat, but he served as New York's mayor as a Republican from 2002 to 2007.

Then the mayor became independent from 2007 to 2018. He left office in New York in 2013. From 2018 through the time of this publication, Bloomberg has been a Democrat, including during his 2020 presidential campaign.

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