Washington, D.C.,
Apr 17 -
Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today applauded the passage of H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act, which includes the text of H.R. 3440, the Recreational Shooting Protection Act, introduced in November by Congressman Flake. Congressman Flake also helped to introduce H.R. 4089.
The Recreational Shooting Protection Act requires congressional approval for any recreational shooting restrictions proposed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on BLM-managed national monument lands, like the 600,000 acres in southern Arizona the BLM is currently proposing to close to recreational shooting. In 2010, the BLM closed 400,000 acres of publicly-owned, national monument lands across three states to recreational shooting activities. The Recreational Shooting Protection Act also directs the BLM to manage national monument land in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances recreational shooting opportunities.
"Proper congressional oversight is greatly needed to prevent the closing of public lands to recreational shooting by bureaucratic fiat,” said Flake.
“I’m proud that the Recreational Shooting Protection Act will be moving forward as part of the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act, and urge its swift passage in the Senate.”
The Recreational Shooting Protection Act is endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife.
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