NRA Files Suit to Keep Public Lands Open

Fairfax, Va. - The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) has partnered with Safari Club International, Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and filed motions to intervene in and dismiss a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to expand hunting and fishing opportunities on more than 2.3 million acres of land at 106 National Wildlife Refuges.

"The National Wildlife Refuge System was created to increase opportunities for families to engage in traditional outdoor actives including hunting, fishing, hiking, and more," said Erica Tergeson, NRA-ILA's director of hunting policy. "Denying access to more than 2.3 million acres runs counter to the entire concept of public lands."

In 2020, the Trump Administration opened 2.3 million acres across 97 national wildlife refuges and nine national fish hatcheries. That expansion created 900 distinctly new hunting and fishing opportunities for America's outdoorsmen and women. It was the largest expansion in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service history.

"The NRA has always fought to ensure America's sportsmen and women have ample access to this country's great outdoors. On behalf of our more than five million members, we urge the courts to dismiss this blatant attempt to turn public lands private," Tergeson concluded.

The case is captioned as Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.