House Committee Advances Bill Protecting Shooting Ranges From Quiet Closure

A new bill aimed at protecting Arizona's public shooting ranges moved forward this week with support from both political parties.

State Representative Quang Nguyen's (R-AZ) House Bill 2763 passed the House Judiciary Committee by an 8-1 vote, marking an important first step toward preventing state officials from closing shooting facilities without legislative approval.

The legislation comes as concerns grow that Arizona's shooting ranges, particularly the massive Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix, could be shut down through administrative decisions that bypass elected lawmakers.

Under current rules, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission can close state-owned shooting ranges after holding public hearings and getting the governor's approval. However, state legislators don't get a direct vote.

House Bill 2763 would change that by requiring the legislature to approve any closure of public shooting ranges located in or near major cities through a joint resolution.

"This vote shows there is broad agreement that decisions affecting public safety, transparency, and long-standing public facilities should not be made behind closed doors," Nguyen explained. "Members from both parties agreed these decisions must be made in the open, with accountability to the public. That is exactly what HB 2763 does."

Largest Shooting Facility

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility, the largest publicly operated shooting range in the United States, has served the community for decades.

Each year, the facility serves tens of thousands of Arizonans through gun safety courses, hunter training, shooting competitions, and law enforcement certification programs.

Those who support the range say shutting it down would force people to shoot in the desert instead, raising safety concerns and harming the environment.

"Arizona should protect public assets, respect disclosure laws, and keep decisions of statewide importance where they belong, in public view," Nguyen said after the committee vote.

The bill now heads to the full Arizona House of Representatives. Nguyen, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, expressed confidence about the success.

"With bipartisan support already on record, this bill is well positioned as it moves forward," he said.