Rob Wittman: “This amends the definition of public target ranges in title II and the definition of public target range as used for…”

“This amends the definition of public target ranges in title II and the definition of public target range as used for Pittman-Robertson funding. This amendment is unnecessary, as it prohibits behavior which is already against the law. This amendment is also impractical. Administrators at public ranges would have no way of knowing who is prohibited and who is not. Public target ranges are not equipped to run background checks, and requiring them to do so would largely undermine the other purposes of the bill, like expanding access to ranges. This amendment does not distinguish between public target ranges that allow only archery versus those that allow firearm use. The amendment would prohibit, without justification, certain persons from taking advantage of otherwise lawful and harmless recreational archery. Access to the national background check screening data base is strictly limited by law and cannot be used to screen people just because they want to use a target range. The National Rifle Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Safari Club International oppose this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I strongly encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.”