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Assault Weapon Ban Could Cost Florida $30 Million

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Blaise Gainey
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Credit Blaise Gainey / WFSU-FM
/
The Florida Channel

The state could see a $30 million drop in sales tax revenue if an amendment banning assault weapons in Florida is passed. 

The Financial Impact Estimating Conference wrapped up its economic analysis Monday on a proposed assault weapons ban. Chief Economist Amy Baker says the projected financial loss is not significant. 

"When you’re talking about losing somewhere between $23 and $30 million, it doesn’t register as a big significant change. It’s less than one-tenth of 1% of the total state budget," says Baker.

But she says individuals and corporations could feel a bigger impact.

“What became very clear is there will be some business that will no longer be able to operate, that will shut down."

Charlie Strickland speaking to the Financial Impact Estimating Conference.
Credit Blaise Gainey / WFSU-FM
/
The Florida Channel
Charlie Strickland speaking to the Financial Impact Estimating Conference.

Charlie Strickland, owner of Talon Range in Tallahassee, says most of his gun sales would become illegal if the proposed amendment is approved.

"The voters if they vote for this very misleading amendment will cost me about 20% percent of my business. Not crippling if I had a 21% profit margin, but I don't," he explained.

Strickland says losing that much profit would force him to close.

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Blaise Gainey is a Multimedia Reporter for WFSU News. Blaise hails from Windermere, Florida. He graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He formerly worked for The Florida Channel, WTXL-TV, and before graduating interned with WFSU News. He is excited to return to the newsroom. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, Netflix, outdoor activities and anything involving his daughter.