Gun enthusiasts will have a variety of options to choose from this weekend as the state holds its first annual sales tax holiday on guns, rifles and other firearms. Shoppers buying items for the beginning of a new school year get their tax holiday. State lawmakers must believe gun owners need one as well.

Beginning today, South Carolina residents will have a 48- hour window to purchase guns, shotguns and rifles taxfree.

The first annual Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday began at 12:01 a.m. Friday and will run through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 29. Only purchases of fixed-cartridge handguns, shotguns and rifles are permitted under the special tax-free weekend.

Sales of items such as ammunition, black powder, holsters, archery supplies, antique guns and collectible guns will continue to be taxed.

Local pawn shops and gun retailers like Cherokee Outfitters have stocked their shelves in anticipation of the holiday.

"We've received a lot of calls about the sales tax holiday on firearms," said Cherokee Outfitters Manager Jennifer Tessner. "Guns of all types have been stocked up and we think we'll see a good turnout."

State lawmakers passed a bill in June that included a sales tax holiday on firearms, which they aptly named the Second Amendment Recognition Act.

Rep. Mike Pitts (R-Greenwood) was the sponsor of the original bill, which he said was in response to a conversation with owners at a hunting outfitters shop in Clinton about the state's late summer sales tax holiday for back-toschool supplies and clothing.

"A lot of people believed that the kids receiving an exemption to purchase supplies was fair, but goods for adults should also be included," Tessner said. "Gun enthusiasts are definitely getting what they wanted."

The South Carolina government estimates that the Nov. 28-29 tax holiday will save gun buyers approximately $15,000 in taxes.

While many gun enthusiasts are reveling in the opportunity to save on their purchase of firearms, those like local resident Sharon Dent believe state lawmakers made a mistake.

"I thought that we're trying to take firearms off the streets and here it goes that state lawmakers are promoting the use of them by making a tax holiday," Dent said.

"It's a mistake that I hope we won't regret later," she added.

Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed the original bill.

However, Tessner said her store does its best to inform potential customers about the dangers of firearms and the problems they can cause.

"It doesn't take much for customers to know (guns) are dangerous weapons," Tessner said, "but we don't make the choice for them.

"All I can suggest to them if they aren't comfortable but want a gun is to go to a shooting range and see how it feels."