Big news for recreational shooters and outdoor enthusiasts! Congress has officially passed the EXPLORE Act (H.R. 6492), and it’s now headed to President Biden’s desk for final approval. This bipartisan legislation marks a significant step forward in improving public access to safe shooting ranges across the country.
One of the standout pieces of the EXPLORE Act is the inclusion of the Range Access Act, a priority for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). This provision requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to collaborate with local stakeholders to build recreational shooting ranges in areas where none currently exist.
The goal?
Give people better access to places where they can practice marksmanship, sight in their hunting rifles, and attend hunter safety courses — all without stepping on the toes of existing private ranges.
Why This Matters:
- Millions of Americans have purchased firearms in recent years, with record-breaking background checks hitting 21 million in 2020 and staying consistently high in the following years.
- Many of these new gun owners need safe, well-maintained spaces to learn and practice shooting.
- More accessible ranges mean better safety practices and more confident firearm handling.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Recreational shooting plays a massive role in funding wildlife conservation efforts through the Pittman-Robertson Act. A staggering 85% of excise taxes collected from firearm and ammunition manufacturers come from recreational shooting-related activities. Since 1937, these taxes have contributed over $27 billion (adjusted for inflation) to wildlife conservation and range improvements.
NSSF’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Lawrence G. Keane, called the legislation a “tremendous win” for gun owners and recreational shooters, applauding Congress for working together on common-sense legislation that benefits everyone.
This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of key legislators, including Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), along with Representatives Steve Scalise (R-La.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), and Blake Moore (R-Utah).
Now, all eyes are on the White House for the final signature. If signed into law, the EXPLORE Act will open up exciting new opportunities for responsible shooting sports enthusiasts across the nation.
Stay tuned!
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