NSSF Applauds Passage of Marksmanship Training Support Act
National Shooting Sports Foundation 06.19.12
The National Shooting Sports Foundation hailed today’s passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (H.R. 3065), which will ensure that shooters and hunters have high-quality public facilities at which to participate in recreational shooting sports and to learn about firearms safety.
The bill was included as Title XII of the Conservation and Economic Growth Act (H.R. 2578), which the House passed late this afternoon by a broad bipartisan margin.
Sponsored by Rep. Heath Schuler (D-N.C.), the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act amends the Pittman-Robertson Act to provide state game and fish agencies with more flexibility and discretion to be able to utilize Pittman-Robertson (Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund) funds for the creation, enhancement and maintenance of public shooting ranges. The bill is badly needed to respond to a significant decline in recent years of opportunities for recreational and competitive shooting on public lands.
“This is an important victory for all sportsmen, target shooters and firearms owners, as well as for future generations of participants who will need public facilities to enjoy the shooting sports,” said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel of NSSF, the trade association of the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry.
