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Bill

SR 2

Urge U.S. Congress to enact legislation to include airguns and airbows as items taxed under the Pittman-Robertson Act.

2025 Regular Session

Mississippi urges Congress to extend the 11% Pittman-Robertson excise tax to airguns and airbows to fund wildlife conservation programs.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · SR 2

Legislative bill overview

SR 2 is a state resolution urging the U.S. Congress to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to include airguns and airbows in the federal excise tax on hunting equipment. Currently, these items are not subject to the 11% federal tax that applies to traditional firearms and ammunition, creating a revenue gap for wildlife conservation programs.

Why is this important

The Pittman-Robertson Act generates roughly $1.5 billion annually for state wildlife management, habitat restoration, and hunter education by taxing sporting firearms and ammunition. Expanding the tax to airguns and airbows could capture additional revenue as these alternative hunting methods grow in popularity, particularly among younger hunters. However, this directly affects consumer costs and involves philosophical questions about which hunting methods should fund conservation.

Potential points of contention

  • Consumer cost impact: The tax would increase prices for airgun and airbow users, potentially discouraging adoption of these quieter, lower-recoil alternatives that appeal to new and younger hunters
  • Fairness and consistency: Airguns are often viewed as less regulated alternatives to firearms; some argue they shouldn't be taxed equally, while others contend tax consistency is logical if revenue supports shared conservation goals
  • Federal vs. state authority: The resolution asks Congress to act, but questions exist about whether states should instead implement their own airgun taxes to fund regional conservation efforts

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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