State Representative Quang Nguyen's (R-1) bill concerning the closure of state-owned public shooting ranges has been signed into law.
What the Bill Does
State Rep. Nguyen's House Bill 2763, originally introduced in January, adds an additional layer to the process for closing a state-owned public shooting range.
Specifically, closing down a range is done through the Arizona Game and Fish Commission process, which includes public hearings and gubernatorial action, but does not require a direct legislative vote.
House Bill 2763 changes that by allowing constituents and their representatives to be more directly involved in the process and determine if a facility should be closed.
State Rep. Nguyen named the bill after the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix, which is recognized as the nation's largest publicly operated shooting complex and as an official Point of Pride by the Phoenix City government.
What Nguyen is Saying
"Ben Avery belongs to the people of Arizona, and no state agency should be able to quietly shut it down because development moved closer or political priorities shifted," said Nguyen in a press release. "This law puts that decision where it belongs: before the public and the lawmakers they elect. Ben Avery trains responsible gun owners, supports hunters and law enforcement, and keeps shooting activity on a supervised range instead of pushing it into the open desert. Protecting this facility protects public safety, public access, and the rights of Arizona gun owners."
Other Arizona Gun Bills
In March, State Senators Wendy Rogers (R-7) and Mark Finchem (R-11) introduced Senate Bill 1424, which would require all public and charter schools in Arizona to implement annual firearm safety lessons tailored to each age group, which the lawmakers emphasize is a practical safety measure, one focused on keeping kids alive and not on partisanship.
Moreover, the bill would not allow the use of actual weapons, live rounds, or simulated ammunition in instruction, and the course is explicitly designed to be non-partisan.
