Angie Craig: “the Senator from New Jersey by his amendment is attempting to block or wipe out an action that this Senate took in 1996…”

“the Senator from New Jersey by his amendment is attempting to block or wipe out an action that this Senate took in 1996 in the Defense authorization bill to create the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety, and in doing so to privatize the Civilian Marksmanship Program. As a result, the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety was created. This is a private, nonprofit, self-sustaining entity. It will have a board of directors appointed by the Secretary of the Army. The corporation will be allowed to raise money, just like any other not-for-profit association. Of course, the intent of this organization is to instruct marksmanship, conduct national matches and competition, to award trophies, prizes, badges and insignias, and to promote the sale of firearms, ammunition, and equipment. Under this new action, in addition, the corporation would be permitted to sell an existing 373,000 rifles and use money to fund the Civilian Marksmanship Program. The Senator from New Jersey has for a good number of years tried to discontinue this program. The Senate clearly recognized the value of it and in so doing recognized that it probably ought not subsidize it anymore and allow it to be privatized so that it could continue in that nature. I hope that the Senate would reject the amendment of the Senator from New Jersey and vote to table this action.”