Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise on behalf of Senator Crapo and myself to introduce the Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act.

Idahoans deeply value their Second Amendment rights, and recreational use of firearms for hunting and shooting sports is common. The use of firearms in Idaho is a tradition often passed through the generations, and many use it as an opportunity to teach safe and responsible practices to their children.

We have been working on this matter and on this particular issue since 2010 as it relates to this particular parcel of ground.

Idaho County needs adequate resources to provide this not only for its citizens but also for its law enforcement agencies. The Idaho County Sheriff's Office cannot effectively train their staff in firearms use because they simply do not have the facilities.

Should the Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act be enacted, a 31-acre parcel of land in Idaho will be transferred from the U.S. Government to Idaho County for use as a gun range which will be maintained by the county.

It is enthusiastically supported by both the Idaho County Sheriff's Office, the county commissioners, and the citizens of Idaho County.

Passing this legislation will fill the void in Idaho County for firearm training, practice, and shooting sports for citizens and law enforcement by providing quality facilities that will ensure safe and responsible use for years to come.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to pass this bill.

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