Next week, the Senate State Affairs Committee will consider House Bill 194, the “Idaho Sport Shooting Immunities Act (IDSSIA).”
HB194, sponsored by State Representative Marc Gibbs (R-31), would protect existing shooting ranges and increase opportunities for recreational shooters and hunters to practice on safe and monitored ranges by protecting those who volunteer or serve as range officers. Many shooting ranges require range officers to operate safely and most range officers are volunteers. Currently, in Idaho there is a shortage of range officers because people that would volunteer are afraid of being sued. This bill will provide those volunteers the protection they need from frivolous lawsuits. A range officer should not be subject to a frivolous suit while volunteering his or her valuable time. In addition, HB194 would protect government entities involved in creating and operating shooting ranges, thus encouraging them to open more ranges.
Limiting the liability of shooting range operators, firearms instructors, and those involved in running matches and other events, will help save existing ranges from being forced to close and protect those involved with running ranges from frivolous lawsuits.
Please contact the members of the Senate State Affairs Committee today and respectfully urge them to support HB194. Contact information can be found below.
State Senator Curt McKenzie (R-12)
Business: (208) 367-9400
Fax: (208) 947-0014
State Senator Monty J. Pearce (R-9)
Home: (208) 278-5408
State Senator Denton Darrington (R-27)
Home: (208) 654-2712
State Senator Robert L. Geddes (R-31)
Home: (208) 547-2423
Fax: (208) 334-2320
State Senator Bart M. Davis (R-33)
Home: (208) 529-4993
Business: (208) 522-8100
Fax: (208) 522-1334
State Senator Joe Stegner (R-7)
Home: (208) 743-3032
Fax: (208) 743-3032
State Senator Russell M. Fulcher (R-21)
Business: (208) 332-1340
Fax: (208) 332-1422
State Senator Jon Thorson (D-25)
Home: (208) 332-1351
State Senator Kate Kelly (D-18)
Home: (208) 850-7217