Utah Rep. Blake Moore has introduced legislation requiring the U.S. government to provide shooting ranges free of charge on certain public lands throughout the nation. HR 9183, introduced on Oct. 14, would require the U.S. Forest Service (FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to provide at least one public recreational shooting range in each forest/district, resulting in a vast expansion of much-needed shooting opportunities at a time when firearm ownership has steadily increased over the last two decades.
“In many areas of the country, safe and accessible shooting facilities are hard to come by, so Congressman Moore’s Range Access Act is critically needed for many in our community,” said Todd Adkins, vice president of government affairs for the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “We thank Congressman Moore for stepping up in a big way for sportsmen and women to give them more places to shoot, train and spend quality time with friends and family.”
In addition to firearm safety and recreation, range expansion is also critical to support continued wildlife conservation through the Pittman-Robertson Act Wildlife Restoration program, paid for through excise taxes on firearms and ammunition. Since enactment in 1937, more than $15 billion has been provided to states for wildlife conservation through Pittman-Robertson, benefitting all Americans. Range construction on public lands provides shooting opportunities for those who have paid excise taxes that benefit the entire conservation system.
“Those who buy firearms and ammunition provide the lion’s share of conservation funding,” added Adkins. “So this is clearly a win-win with growth in shooting range access helping conservation while giving more Americans opportunities to enjoy shooting and training in a safe environment.”
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.