Tester pushes bipartisan bill to increase sportsmen’s access to safe shooting practice

Senator’s measure allows states to add new, secure shooting ranges on public lands

(BIG SANDY, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester is sponsoring the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Act to increase the number of public shooting ranges available to sportsmen and women in Montana and nationwide.

Tester’s bipartisan bill gives states greater flexibility to use their designated federal wildlife resources to establish safe, recreational shooting areas.

“Sportsmen and women of all skill levels need a safe place to practice their shooting,” said Tester, the former Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “This bill will ensure more ranges are built so more folks can safely enjoy our outdoor traditions and heritage.”

Tester’s bill also directs the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to work with state and local sportsmen’s groups to create and maintain public shooting ranges.

As Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Tester fought to pass his Sportsmen’s Act that increased access for hunting and fishing, supported land and species conservation, and protected hunting and fishing rights. He also helped reauthorize LWCF and amended it to ensure that the federal government makes access to public lands a top priority.

Tester also recently called on the U.S. Forest Service to support Montana’s Crown of the Continent conservation effort to preserve Montana’s most famous outdoor areas.

Tester’s bipartisan Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Act is co-sponsored by Mark Udall (D-Colo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and John Thune (R-S.D.).

Tester’s bipartisan Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Act by les_braswell5524