[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 111 (Wednesday, July 16, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S4559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. RISCH (for himself and Mr. Crapo):
S. 2616. A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to convey
certain Federal land to Idaho County in the State of Idaho, and for
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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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