Colorado: Future of Target Shooting at Stake on Millions of Acres of Federal Land

The Grand Junction Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting a meeting that the agency describes as gathering ideas from the public on target shooting opportunities and management in the Grand Junction Field Office. The BLM is in the process of updating its Resource Management Plan, which was last updated for this area in 1987. Information gathered at this meeting will influence what lands remain open to shooting in the future.

The meeting is scheduled for September 10th at 6:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott on Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO.

The Grand Junction Field Office manages two developed shooting ranges and has more than one million additional acres available for dispersed target shooting (http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo/recreation/shooting.html). BLM's announcement states that it plans to spend 10-15 minutes laying out the parameters that guide current management of target shooting. The remainder of the meeting will be open to hear from the public about what the agency should consider in future decisions regarding target shooting.

BLM has been discussing the subject of target shooting with a citizen advisory group called the Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council (RAC) that meets quarterly in northwestern Colorado. BLM says that questions and interest from members of the RAC prompted it to hold a follow-up session to gather ideas and information from a broader group of stakeholders interested in target shooting activities.

There is every reason to be concerned that the future of target shooting is in the crosshairs of anti-gun "stakeholders." You can be assured that they will be in attendance at the September 10th meeting and will do all they can to influence what the BLM writes in its updated management plan. We need to ensure that target shooting continues to be accommodated as the historic and legitimate recreational use that it is. Please take the time to attend the September 10th meeting, sign up for notices as the BLM moves forward with revising the Grand Junction Field Office’s management plan and stay engaged in the planning process. Your voice and participation count. For further information about the meeting or the planning process you may contact: