U.S. Rep. Bob Latta Introduces New Sportsmen's Act, HR 3590

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industries, today noted that Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Bob Latta (R-Ohio) has introduced HR 3590, a new bipartisan version of the Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act of 2013.

Earlier this year, Latta and CSC Co-Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), joined by Vice-Chairs, U.S. Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Tim Walz (D-Minn.), introduced the SHARE Act as a package of pro-sportsmen's legislation designed to safeguard and promote America's hunting and fishing traditions. The legislation enjoys wide support from both sides of the political aisle.

"The SHARE Act is made up of several pro-sportsmen's bills that will help ensure our outdoor traditions are preserved, protected and promoted. HR 3590 addresses some of the most pressing concerns of American hunters and recreational shooters. Its passage would be a significant accomplishment for the sportsmen's community and for America. We salute Congressman Latta for his continuing stewardship of this important legislation."

Priorities addressed in the SHARE Act include: protecting the traditional use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle by American hunters and anglers, the potential increase of more Pittman-Robertson funds for shooting ranges, the permanent authorization of the electronic duck stamp, and helping facilitate the use of and access to Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands and waters for hunting, recreational fishing and shooting. It also prohibits the enforcement of individual firearm regulations at water resources development projects administered by the Corps of Engineers, and prohibits additional fees for commercial filming on federal lands and waterways.

In addition, this legislation will also permanently establish the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee to advise the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on wildlife and habitat conservation, hunting and recreational shooting.