Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

Senate Committee Advances Sportsmen’s Act on Bipartisan Vote

Friday, November 20, 2015

Senate Committee Advances Sportsmen’s Act on Bipartisan Vote

On Thursday, S. 556, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015, passed out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources without amendment. The bill contains numerous NRA-backed measures to ensure federal lands are accessible by and preserved for the use of hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters.

A foundational principle of the bill is that it codifies the "open unless closed" policy of the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service in Federal statute. This means that hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting are presumptively allowed on such lands unless the managing authority goes through a specified process to prohibit such uses. In other words, the burden is on the managing authority to demonstrate why these uses are not appropriate before closing any lands.

The bill also ensures that closures of public lands will be subject to public notice and comment. This provides greater transparency and the opportunity for users of the land to weigh-in on such proposals. Closures could not be justified merely on the basis that surrounding lands under the jurisdiction of other authorities provide an alternative venue for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting.

Importantly, the bill provides additional funding to open or improve access to Federal public lands for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities. Monies for this purpose will be provided by a 1.5% earmark of the total amount appropriated by Congress under the Land and Water Conservation Fund or $10 million, whichever is greater.  This provision was an initiative spearheaded by your NRA, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The NRA thanks Committee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) for her leadership in helping this vote come to pass. The bill now moves to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where we urge further favorable consideration. 

Also on the move is H.R. 2406, the Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2015. Last month, an amended version of that bill, which would also enhance access to federal lands by hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters, was reported out of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Preserving opportunities for lawful hunting and sport shooting remains one of NRA’s highest callings, and these bills represent substantial steps forward in that effort.

TRENDING NOW
U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

ATF Invites FFLs Zeroed Out Under Biden-Harris to Reapply

News  

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

ATF Invites FFLs Zeroed Out Under Biden-Harris to Reapply

Among all the infringements of the Second Amendment perpetrated by the Biden-Harris regime, one of the most punitive and consequential was ATF’s “zero tolerance” enforcement policy for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs). 

U.S. Representative Suggests TRIPLING ($600) Suppressor Tax!

News  

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

U.S. Representative Suggests TRIPLING ($600) Suppressor Tax!

Excellent news for gun owners came last week when the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes the complete removal of suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). 

Twenty-four State Attorneys General Urge Congress to Pass H.R. 38

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Twenty-four State Attorneys General Urge Congress to Pass H.R. 38

On May 21, two dozen state attorneys general sent a letter to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives, urging that body to pass H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.

Loot Canal: U.S. Taxpayers Funded Bizarre Dental “Gun Violence” Research

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Loot Canal: U.S. Taxpayers Funded Bizarre Dental “Gun Violence” Research

When the Biden-Harris administration made clear they intended to use a “whole-of-government” approach to suppress Second Amendment rights, few could have predicted their efforts would extend all the way to the dentist’s office.

Australia’s Gun Laws, Failing in Different Ways

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Australia’s Gun Laws, Failing in Different Ways

Everything is relative, so the saying goes, which means that once in a while, it’s instructive to read about the gun laws and the state of gun rights in other countries. 

NRA Files Amicus Brief in Challenge to Machinegun Possession Ban

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

NRA Files Amicus Brief in Challenge to Machinegun Possession Ban

Yesterday, the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and FPC Action Foundation filed an amicus brief arguing that the federal prohibition on machinegun possession is unconstitutional as applied to the defendant in the Fifth Circuit case, United States ...

ATF Updates “Brady Permit Chart,” Reduces Need for Redundant NICS Checks

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

ATF Updates “Brady Permit Chart,” Reduces Need for Redundant NICS Checks

We have been reporting on recent reforms by ATF to make its operations more transparent, professional, and public safety focused and less openly hostile to law abiding gun owners and the industries that serve them. 

Anti-gun Shakedown Machine Now Targets Toy Gun Sellers

News  

Monday, June 2, 2025

Anti-gun Shakedown Machine Now Targets Toy Gun Sellers

The pro-Second Amendment community understands that guns are not toys.

Maine: Floor Votes on Extreme Anti-Gun Bills Imminent

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Maine: Floor Votes on Extreme Anti-Gun Bills Imminent

This evening, lawmakers will caucus with their respective parties to discuss firearm bills before these bills head to the floor for their final votes. 

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.