H.R 2406 is out of the House (finally)…
Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act
Components of firearms and ammunition and sport fishing equipment and its components (such as lead sinkers) are exempted from regulations of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The authority of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to regulate the use of ammunition and fishing tackle based on its lead content is limited.
Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act
The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act is amended to: (1) increase the proportion of funding from the Act that states may use for acquiring land for public target ranges, and (2) delay by 10 years until 2026 the date after which interest from the wildlife conservation and restoration fund is available for apportionment.
Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act of 2015
Interior must issue permits to allow a hunter to import polar bear parts (other than internal organs) if p the bear was legally harvested in Canada from an approved population before the May 15, 2008, listing of the polar bear as threatened.
Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act of 2015
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may not prohibit individuals from possessing a firearm in public areas of a water resources development project.
Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act
Federal public land management officials must facilitate hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on certain federal public land.
Hunter and Farmer Protection Act
The bill revises standards for determining what a baited area is for purposes of the prohibition on taking migratory game birds.
The National Park Service (NPS) may not prohibit individuals from transporting bows and crossbows if certain requirements are met.
The NPS may establish hunter access corridors.
The NRA was one of the lead supporters, along with Safari Club and CSF.
Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association applauds the passage of H.R. 2406, the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act. Introduced by Representative Robert Wittman (R-VA 1), the SHARE Act provides enhanced access to public lands while limiting punitive regulations promoted by “animal rights” extremists.
“The SHARE Act will strengthen America’s hunting, fishing, and sport shooting heritage now and in the future,” said Chris Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “There will be more resources available for public ranges, more hunter access to public lands, and more opportunities for Americans to enjoy the great outdoors.”
In addition to allowing law-abiding gun owners increased access to carry firearms on land managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the SHARE Act also protects the use of traditional ammunition and requires that U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management management plans to facilitate hunting, fishing, and shooting. Finally, the bill would more comprehensively address the interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition for hunters and law-abiding gun owners.
“On behalf of our 5 million members, we would like to thank Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI 1), Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23) and Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA 1). We also appreciate the hard work of Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT 1), Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX 32) and the lead sponsors of the bill: Reps. Robert Wittman (R-VA 1), Tim Walz (D-MN 1), Jeff Duncan (R-SC 3), and Gene Green (D-TX 29) on moving this legislation through the House,” concluded Cox.
The NRA would also like to thank Safari Club International, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and other groups that worked hard to rally support for the legislation.
The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where a similar package (the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015) has already advanced from the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and Environment and Public Works.
Now if the Senate will just pass their version… sigh…
And Virginia got their reciprocity back. Bloomie and McAuliffe notwithstanding!!!
Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association (NRA) commends Virginia’s leaders for reaching an agreement to secure the rights of law-abiding concealed carry permit holders. H.B. 1163 and S.B. 610 which will restore and promote concealed carry reciprocity for permit holders in the Commonwealth and around the country, were signed into law today.
“Now, more than six million law-abiding gun owners will be free to travel in and out of Virginia with their Second Amendment rights intact,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “Self-defense is a fundamental right that must be respected.”
On Dec. 22, 2015, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring decided to sever concealed carry reciprocity agreements with half the country. The change was set to take effect early in 2016. The decision nullified agreements with the following states; Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
In addition to providing concealed carry recognition for valid permits from other states, the bipartisan legislation signed today requires the Virginia State Police to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states where needed.
“Concealed carry permit holders are among the safest groups of citizens in Virginia and throughout the country. On behalf of the NRA’s more than five million members, we commend this effort to protect public safety and fundamental freedoms. Hopefully this effort will encourage Congress to pass national right to carry reciprocity legislation as soon as possible,” concluded Cox.
Governor McAuliffe signed the legislation earlier today despite a repeated onslaught of attacks from New York City Billionaire Michael Bloomberg and his misguided gun control allies.
h/t NRA Media
