NRA Applauds House for Passing NRA-backed SHARE Act

The NRA praises members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted to pass H.R. 3590--the "Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act."  The measure, which passed with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 268 to 154, promotes and protects the rights of hunters in a variety of critical ways.

"Hunting is part of our unique American heritage and the NRA is committed to preserving it," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox.  "Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) has been a stalwart friend to our nation's hunters and on behalf of our 5 million NRA members we thank him for his leadership on this important legislation.  The NRA will continue to work with the Congress to protect the rights of hunters from increasingly hostile and litigious environmental groups seeking to curtail our freedoms."

Despite increasing urbanization in America, hunting and other outdoor sports continue to grow in popularity as people seek the simple pleasure of being outdoors with friends and family.  The nation's 13.7 million hunters spent $38.3 billion in 2011, helping to create 680,000 jobs.  Hunters and sportsmen contribute another $1.6 billion annually to conservation through license and permitting fees and charitable donations.

The SHARE Act would give law-abiding gun owners more access to carry firearms on land managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, protect lead-based ammunition, and promote the construction and maintenance of public target ranges.

The NRA worked with lawmakers to defeat a series of anti-hunting amendments supported by anti-hunting groups and environmental extremists designed to undermine hunting and fishing access and opportunities. The measure now heads to the Senate where the NRA will urge senators to take up and pass the SHARE Act.