Proposed Law Allocates Gun Excise Taxes for Range Acquisition

A bill in Congress would allow state agencies to use their shares of Federal Excise/Sales Tax Revenues (derived from gun, ammo, and archery sales) to acquire land for new shooting ranges. The Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (H.R.3781) would give state agencies more flexibility in spending Pittman-Robertson dollars for the development of new sites for shooting ranges. H.R.3781 was introduced in October 2009 by Rep. Betsey Markey of Colorado. The bill, supported by NSSF, would give states the ability to use federal excise/sales tax revenues to purchase land for new ranges for the first time and increase federal dollars for range construction and improvement.

We think this is a great idea. Please tell your members of Congress to support H.R.3781. In many parts of the country privately-owned ranges are closing (due to a variety of factors including urban sprawl and restrictive land-use laws). Pittman-Robertson revenues are also at an all-time high, as is the general public interest in target shooting. It makes good sense to allow a share of Federal gun-related tax revenues be set aside for range acquisition. H.R. 3781 would amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to:

• authorize a state to pay up to 90% of the costs of acquiring land for expanding, or constructing, a public target range;
• authorize a state to elect to allocate 10% of a specified amount apportioned to it from the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for such costs;
• limit the federal share of such costs under such Act to 90%;
• require amounts provided for such costs under such Act to remain available for expenditure and obligation for five fiscal years.

About the Pittman-Robertson Act
The Pittman-Robertson Act imposes an 11% excise tax on sporting firearms and ammunition, a 10% tax on handguns, and 11% sales tax on archery equipment. Fully half of the monies collected via the handgun and archery equipment taxes goes to state hunter education and safety programs.

Similar Posts:

• New Legislation Could Help States Use Fed Money for Gun Ranges
• Congress Passes Legislation to Help Fund Shooting Ranges
• Bill to Promote Shooting Ranges Advances in Congress
• Guns & Ammo Taxes Have Supported Conservation for 75 Years
• Planned Federal Budget Freeze May Threaten Public Ranges

Tags: Congress, Excise Tax, Pittman-Robertson Act