Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) presented legislation in the Environment Policy Committee that seeks to increase funding for the Shooting Range Improvement Grants program.

The Department of Natural Resources currently offers Shooting Range Grants, as a way to increase outdoor shooting range capacity for youth shooters and the general public by providing matching grant funds to recreational shooting clubs open for public use. Eligible projects must develop, expand, improve, or upgrade existing shooting ranges, with new range development being prioritized in rural areas of the state.

“These grants have already served to expand range accessibility for youth shooting sports and programs, and we want to see them continue,” said Ruud. “Our state currently has the highest amount of youth clay target shooting, in part because many ranges across the state have already used these funds to increase accessibility. By continuing these grants, we are supporting the fastest-growing youth sport in Minnesota.”

The legislation was laid over.