House passes Congressman Hunter's legislation to create safe public shooting ranges and promote firearm safety

Washington DC—Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation that includes the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act, a bipartisan and deficit-neutral measure introduced by Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) to help states create and maintain public shooting ranges for hunters and sportsmen.  The Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act was incorporated into H.R. 3590, the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act—which now awaits Senate consideration. 

“Public shooting ranges serve the interests of families and communities, providing a safe place for target practice and instruction while also sustaining jobs and supporting local businesses,” said Hunter.  “With fewer ranges open today, providing more flexibility to states for the purpose of maintaining public shooting venues will help restore recreational opportunities and promote gun safety.

“Individuals and families wanting to utilize public shooting venues for recreation and safety instruction should not be denied these opportunities.  Good marksmanship is an American tradition and this legislation—the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act—upholds our nation’s outdoor and hunting heritage.”

Specifically, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act:

• Increases the funding that states can contribute from allotted Pittman-Robertson funds to 90 percent of the cost to improve or construct a public target range;
• Permits the availability of a state’s Pittman-Robertson funds for five fiscal years, for use in acquiring land for expanding or constructing ranges.  Current law requires funds to be used within one year;
• Encourages federal land management agencies to cooperate with state and local authorities to maintain ranges on federal land.