U.S. House of Representatives Passes Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012

Fairfax, Va. – H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 274 to 146. This bill will protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing and shooting. 

“Preserving our hunting heritage and protecting our gun rights are top priorities for the NRA.  H.R. 4089 is a significant step for hunters and recreational shooters in our country,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director for NRA's Institute for Legislative Action.  “This bill prevents the Obama administration from eliminating the right of hunters and shooters to use traditional ammunition.  We must expand and enhance hunting and shooting on Federal lands to ensure that hunting is accessible to all – and this bill does just that.”

H.R. 4089 is a compilation of four different bills:  

H.R. 1558, which amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prevent this and future administrations from using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to eliminate the right of hunters, shooters and anglers to use traditional ammunition and fishing tackle, by amending TSCA to clarify that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate shot, bullets and other projectiles, propellants, primers or sport fishing equipment components;

The "Recreational Shooting Protection Act," H.R. 3440, which prevents a ban on recreational shooting on BLM lands nationwide; and directs the BLM to manage national monument land in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances recreational shooting opportunities;

The "Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act," H.R. 2834, which recognizes the rightful place of recreational hunting, fishing and shooting on Federal lands; supports Executive Order 13443, directs Federal land management agencies to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting on Federal lands; ensures sound scientific management of wildlife and habitat; and establishes an "open unless closed" policy for recreational hunting, fishing and shooting on lands managed by the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management; and

The "Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act of 2011," H.R. 991, which amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act by authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to issue importation permits to hunters for polar bear trophies taken before the polar bear was listed as "threatened".

-NRA-
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four 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.