On Tuesday, State Rep. Brad Paquette (R-Niles) offered testimony for his first bill of the term, House Bill 4026, which would extend the sunset day for a tax exemption on firearm safety devices. The bill is part of a bipartisan package Paquette is sponsoring along with State Rep. Natalie Price (D-Berkley), and the two legislators both spoke in support of their legislation in front of House Committee on Finance.

“These two bills represent a pragmatic, bipartisan approach to promoting responsible gun ownership and enhanced public safety,” Paquette said. “By removing tax barriers on essential safety equipment, we can help prevent tragic accidents and unauthorized access to firearms, particularly by children and at-risk adults.”

Paquette stressed that these policies will provide a solution to tragic incidents that still respects constitutional rights and encourages responsible storage practices. The two bills would amend the General Sales Tax Act and Use Tax Act to exempt firearm safety devices through December 31^st, 2025.

“We want more people to be able to purchase and store their firearms securely, keeping them out of the wrong hands,” Paquette said. “That is what removing these taxes will incentivize.”

The two bills were passed by the House Finance Committee with a unanimous vote and reported to the full House for further consideration.