Governor Ron DeSantis was in Lakeland on Monday, September 14th, to highlight Florida's Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday and break ground on a new archery center at Tenoroc.
Here's what it means for Polk County. 
A New Archery Center at Tenoroc
DeSantis broke ground on the Florida Archery Center at Tenoroc, right here in Lakeland.
Tenoroc already serves the public and hunter safety students with rifle and handgun ranges, sporting clays, a 5-stand, trap, and air rifle and archery ranges.
The new center adds dedicated archery space and expands what's already one of the region's most-used outdoor recreation sites.
No opening date has been announced yet.
The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Is Back
Florida's Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday runs September 1 through December 31, 2026. During that window, firearms, ammunition, and a wide range of hunting, fishing, and camping gear are exempt from sales tax statewide.
What qualifies:
- Firearms and ammunition, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns
- Firearm accessories, including holsters, grips, sights, stocks, and cleaning kits
- Bows, crossbows, and accessories
- Fishing equipment, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle
- Camping equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, and lanterns
What's new this year:
- The price cap on tax-free fishing bait and tackle doubled, to $10 for individual items and $20 when multiple items are sold together
- A separate exemption now covers more firearm accessories, including magazines, range bags, barrels, triggers, slings, bipods, and suppressors
The state projects about $40 million in tax relief this year, bringing total savings over the program's first two years to nearly $85 million.
Great to be in Lakeland today to break ground on the new Florida Archery Center at Teneroc and highlight the Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Sales Tax Holiday. Through December 31, Floridians can buy firearms, ammunitions, accessories, and a wide range of hunting, fishing, and… pic.twitter.com/mieQa2aFmP
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 14, 2026
The Local Takeaway
Between Tenoroc's expansion and four months of tax-free shopping for outdoor gear, it's a good stretch to be a hunter, angler, or camper in Polk County.
If you've been holding off on a gun, bow, or camping gear purchase, now's the window.
Sources: Florida Department of Revenue, Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Sales Tax Holiday (floridarevenue.com/HuntFishCamp); Gov. Ron DeSantis, Official Announcement (x.com/GovRonDeSantis)
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