14-02-2025
Bill banning sales tax on firearm purchases dies in Wyoming House committee
CHEYENNE – A Senate bill that would have removed sales tax from firearm purchases in Wyoming was killed in the House Revenue Committee Thursday morning, largely due to concerns of 'piecemealing' tax exemptions.
Senate File 58, 'Elimination of sales tax on firearms,' sponsored by Sen. Jared Olsen, R-Cheyenne, would have exempted sales taxes on firearms and ammunition purchases, including archery equipment.
'It's a fundamental right that is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and it's also in the Wyoming Constitution,' Olsen told committee members. 'Because it is a fundamental right, I believe that it should be as affordable and accessible as possible to the average Wyomingite.'
The bill is also a reflection of Wyoming values, Olsen said. Taxes are a form of policy, and 'what we choose to tax … is a reflection of our public policy, our beliefs, our morals (and) our values.'
However, House committee members worried about the slew of tax relief and tax exemption bills already floating around the session. Rep. Robert Wharff, R-Evanston, said his personal goal from the start of the session was to avoid piecemeal legislation.
Rep. Robert Wharff, R-Evanston (2025)
Rep. Robert Wharff, R-Evanston
'It's something I definitely want to look at, but I feel a little conflicted, because this is one that really benefits me,' Wharff said. 'I look at all the other exemptions that I voted against, and I feel like I need to vote against this one.'
Reps. Gary Brown, R-Cheyenne; Kevin Campbell, R-Glenrock; and Liz Storer, D-Jackson, echoed similar concerns on piecemealing tax policy. Glenrock said he believed this bill should be studied when the Legislature is out of session, a season formally known as the interim. Brown added that this bill could create a 'back door' to tracking the sale of firearms by exempting them as a taxable good.
Rep. Kevin Campbell, R-Glenrock (2025)
Rep. Kevin Campbell, R-Glenrock
Storer emphasized there's a 'whole slew' of bills creating tax exemptions and property tax reductions already being considered this legislative session.
'This feels like this bill is going in the wrong direction, just adding another one to the pages and pages of exemptions that we have,' Storer said. 'We (should) think about how to look at our tax policy holistically and really take a deep dive before going in this direction.'
Rep. Liz Storer, D-Jackson (2025)
Rep. Liz Storer, D-Jackson
Storer sponsored a bill this session that created a Taxation and Revenue Task Force, composed of representatives from town and county governments, local school districts, special districts, cities and towns, revenue and constitutional experts, and members of the general public. This task force would be designed to analyze current revenue levels and sources for local municipalities and make recommendations to legislative leadership and the governor.
However, Storer's bill made it through the first two readings in the House of Representatives before it died on the third and final reading in a 25-36 vote, with one excused.
Rep. Clarence Styvar, R-Cheyenne, was the only one who openly spoke in favor of Olsen's bill.
'I think we just need to go ahead and get it out on the floor and see where it lands from there,' Styvar said. 'But I think it's a good concept. It's a good idea. It'll give everybody something to think about going down the road.'
The bill died in a 3-5 vote, with 'no' votes from Storer, Wharff, Brown, Campbell and Committee Chairman Rep. Tony Locke, R-Casper.
