Firearms Industry Applauds Introduction of Fishing and Hunting Heritage Bill

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, applauded the introduction of legislation, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act (HR 3749), to greatly enhance the ability of federal land managers to provide, promote and plan for recreational uses that balance the needs and interests of all outdoor enthusiasts.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Reps. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) and Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), requires that all federal public land planners evaluate the effects that management initiatives have on outdoors activities and provide a clear analysis of how proposed actions would affect these traditional users of federal public lands.

"This legislation is key to ensuring that our hunting and shooting heritage continues to endure, even amidst continued threats from anti-hunting and anti-gun special interest groups, on federal lands," said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane.

The bill specifically directs the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to utilize the multi-use mandates in their agencies' respective land-management plans to promote sportsmen and sportswomen's access to forest and public lands.
The bill would further provide federal land managers with the authority to designate specific areas for recreational shooting.

"The firearms industry thanks Congressmen Boren and Ryan for their continued support of sportsmen and women in the United States," concluded Keane.