Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is no stranger to political showmanship, and his latest tax holiday is one more example.

In his 2025-26 proposed state budget, DeSantis is asking lawmakers for a new statewide sales-tax free holiday that he is calling the “Second Amendment Summer.” The tax holiday, which would run from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July, is projected by the governor to save Floridians $8 million in sales taxes on ammunition, firearms and related accessories.

The new tax holiday adds to the $296 million in temporary tax savings for consumers included in DeSantis’ proposed budget, but more than that, it is political theater aimed at shoring up his base. With his influence waning and his time in office nearing its end, DeSantis is staring down the barrel of being a lame-duck governor.

For weeks, DeSantis has been feuding with Republican lawmakers over immigration policy. Now, he is attempting to leverage his party’s love of the Second Amendment to rescue his reputation. While the right to bear arms is enshrined in the Constitution, he’s turning it into a sales promotion.

There’s a big difference between defending the right to own guns and exploiting that right for political gain. DeSantis’ tax holiday does not promote fiscal responsibility, as his budget proposal claims — he titled it “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility.” Tax holidays cost the state budget money that could be used for more important programs. That is especially important because state economists have warned of an upcoming budget deficit requiring lawmakers to cut back on spending, the Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau reported.

These tax holidays should be reserved for essential items, such as hurricane and back-to-school supplies, not for grandstanding.

There are other unnecessary tax breaks in the governor’s proposed budget, such as one for kayaks and canoes in July, but those have price limits — only those under $500 are covered. There is no limit on the number or price of firearms that can be purchased in a single transaction during the tax holiday. While background checks and a minimum three-day waiting period for gun purchases are required — individual counties may extend it by up to five days — this measure still raises concerns about responsible gun ownership.

Allowing a tax-free holiday on guns and ammunition in Florida signals an open invitation to this state’s armed extremists, and that’s the wrong message when the state, and the nation, should be prioritizing responsible gun ownership and sensible safety measures. Nearly half a million firearms were sold in Florida within the first four months of 2024, the second highest number behind Texas. And, in 2024, Florida had 32 mass shootings, ranking third in the country, according to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.

During his news conference on Monday, DeSantis dismissed the possibility of push back from the Legislature, saying, “Why would they want to fight back on that? This is something that their voters would expect them to support.” His statement makes clear that this is not about sound governance or economic policy — it’s about political survival. DeSantis is banking on being rewarded by his conservative supporters for the creation of this holiday.

Floridians should see the “Second Amendment Summer” for what it really is: a distraction. It exploits constitutional rights, plays to partisan divisions and does nothing to address the real challenges facing Floridians. The gun and ammo tax holiday reveals more about DeSantis’s political calculations than a genuine commitment to fiscal conservatism or even gun rights.

For the remainder of his term, DeSantis should spend his time addressing more pressing issues, such as the condo crisis or strengthening the state’s fragile insurance market. Leadership is not rolling out gimmicks to score partisan points.

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