[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 16, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6742-S6743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                            MORNING BUSINESS

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I believe there has been a request for 
a brief period of morning business. I would so ask unanimous consent 
that Senators wishing to speak in morning business be allowed to do so.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

[[Page S6743]]

           CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM SHOULD BE TERMINATED

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to bring to my colleague's 
attention a copy of a letter I recently received from the Department of 
Defense regarding the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
  The letter from Under Secretary of the Army Joe Reeder responds to a 
letter I sent recently to Defense Secretary Perry about the Civilian 
Marksmanship Program. It confirms my longstanding belief that the time 
has come for the Congress to terminate this program once and for all. 
The letter says ``* * * the Army gets no direct benefit from the 
program'' and that there is ``* * * no discernible link'' between the 
program and our Nation's military readiness. It goes on to say, ``Last 
year and again last week, DOD repeatedly has conveyed to Congress that, 
while it will continue to administer the program as directed by 
Congress, it will also continue to support legislation ending the 
program.''
  This letter, Mr. President, is not a plea to the Congress to save a 
program that enhances our military readiness and national security. To 
the contrary. It is an invitation to terminate the program. I ask 
unanimous consent that a copy of the letter be printed in the 
Congressional Record at the end of my statement.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit 1)
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, recent press reports indicate that 
members of extremist militia groups in this country, which may pose a 
threat to public safety, may be gaining access to military bases and 
receiving weapons, ammunition, and training at Army facilities under 
the auspices of the Civilian Marksmanship Program. In one article, I 
learned that the leader of the Michigan-based militia group told ABC's 
``Prime Time Live'' that he had access to U.S. military bases in 
Michigan for the purpose of training through this program. In another 
article, I learned that members of the Competitive Sportsman club were 
asked to leave Camp Grayling base when they showed up wearing Southern 
Michigan Militia patches. The American people have a right to know that 
their tax dollars are not being used to train people who may pose a 
threat to law abiding citizens and to peace and order in this country. 
The Defense Department should either investigate these allegations or 
call on another branch of the U.S. Government to do so.
  In the meantime, Mr. President, the Civilian Marksmanship Program 
should be terminated. My colleagues know that I have long believed the 
Civilian Marksmanship Program is a low-priority program and is an 
egregious example of waste in Government. The program promotes rifle 
training for civilians through a system of affiliated clubs and other 
organizations, and sponsors shooting competitions. As part of these 
activities, the program donates, loans, and sells weapons, ammunition, 
and other shooting supplies. The Department of Defense has provided me 
with a State-by-State breakdown listing of 1,146 member clubs that 
participate in this program, which I will make available to any of my 
colleagues who wish to read it.
  The program was first established in 1903, at a time when civilian 
marksmanship training was believed to be important for military 
preparedness. Yet the Pentagon says it supports legislation to 
terminate it and that there is ``no discernible link'' between military 
readiness and the Civilian Marksmanship Program. As Army officials told 
the GAO, no Army requirements exist for civilians trained in 
marksmanship, and no system is in place to track program-trained 
personnel. In a March 15, 1994, hearing in the Senate Defense 
Appropriations Subcommittee, Army Secretary West stated that national 
security objectives will be met with or without the Civilian 
Marksmanship Program.
  In essence, the Civilian Marksmanship Program has provided a taxpayer 
subsidy for recreational shooting. In light of the budget deficit we 
face and the military needs we ought to address, this simply is not a 
justifiable use of scarce resources. After all, defense dollars are not 
used to subsidize other sports. They ought not be used to subsidize a 
shooting program which has no relationship to military needs and 
requirements.
  Additionally, the program puts the U.S. Government in the role of 
selling weapons and ammunition to civilians. There is no shortage of 
guns and ammunition available in this country through the private 
sector. I do not believe the U.S. Government needs to be involved in 
putting more guns on the street in this country.
  Mr. President, Senators Feinstein, Levin, Simon, and I recently 
introduced a bill, S. 757, to terminate the Civilian Marksmanship 
Program. I urge my colleagues to read the letter from Under Secretary 
Reeder and approve that bill without delay.
                               Exhibit 1


                                  Under Secretary of the Army,

                                     Washington, DC, May 11, 1995.
     Hon. Frank R. Lautenberg,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Lautenberg: The Secretary of Defense, the 
     Honorable William J. Perry, has asked me on behalf of the 
     Army, which serves as the executive agent for the Civilian 
     Marksmanship Program (CMP), to respond to your letter 
     regarding your concerns about the CMP.
       The CMP was established by Congress in 1903 to develop 
     marksmanship skills throughout our nation from which the 
     armed forces could draw when needed for rapid mobilization. 
     To this end, the CMP supported creation of rifle clubs 
     throughout the country. There are 1,146 member clubs (the 
     current listing at Tab A is an update from all previous 
     reports on clubs).
       Over time the mission of the CMP changed. Now, the current 
     focus of the CMP is weapons safety, familiarization and the 
     sport of marksmanship. The CMP is apolitical, and provides no 
     instruction in military skills.
       In FY 1994, the CMP spent $2.483 million of appropriated 
     funds; $2.544 million are budgeted for FY 1995. The Army has 
     requested no appropriated funding for the CMP in FY 1996, 
     because the Army gets no direct benefit from the program. The 
     FY 1996/1997 Biennial Budget Estimates submitted to Congress 
     documents the request for no funds in FY 96. Last year and 
     again last week, DOD repeatedly has conveyed to Congress 
     that, while it will continue to administer the program as 
     directed by Congress, it will also continue to support 
     legislation ending this program. I have enclosed a copy of 
     the recent OSD, General Counsel, response (Tab B) to The 
     Honorable Floyd Spence, Chairman, House National Security 
     Committee, and Ranking Minority Member Ron Dellums 
     reiterating, ``. . . no discernible link'' between military 
     readiness and the CMP.
       DOD shares your concern that the CMP not inadvertently 
     become involved with groups or individuals who may intend to 
     harm federal or non-federal employees. To my knowledge the 
     CMP has never endorsed the involvement of militia groups or 
     extremists in any context. Before club status is granted, 
     three adults responsible for the formation of the club must 
     submit a DD Form 398-2 (Personnel Security Questionnaire) and 
     pass a background investigation performed by the National 
     Agency Check and Investigative Center. If Congress continues 
     to direct that this program be implemented, we will continue 
     to follow these procedures.
       Section 4309, Title 10, United States Code, provides that 
     all ranges built in whole or in part with Federal funds may 
     be used by persons capable of bearing arms. Under this 
     legislation, the CMP and other organizations may request the 
     use of military ranges and are generally granted such use 
     provided they comply with range and installation rules. They 
     must not interfere with scheduled military training and their 
     intended use must not pose a safety hazard. If we have any 
     indication of misuse, we will take appropriate corrective 
     action.
       Thank you for your interest in this program. I hope this 
     information addresses your concerns.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Joe R. Reeder.
     

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