ST. PAUL – Rep. Dale Lueck, R-Aitkin, urges area shooting clubs to look into the availability of $330,000 in shooting range grants to build or improve trap, skeet, rifle, pistol or five-stand shooting ranges in the state.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be issuing the grants in small and large categories, divided by a $25,000 threshold. The $330,000 that’s available is from a $2 million appropriation the state Legislature made in 2015 to help recreational shooting clubs develop or improve shooting sports facilities for public use, with an emphasis on enhancing participation opportunities for youth. The grant application period lasts through June 29.
“Our local gun ranges provide a great opportunity to introduce our youth to shooting related sports.” Lueck said. “I am really encouraged to see our local high schools support trap and skeet shooting as a high school sport. Ensuring our local gun ranges are up to date and can provide the necessary facilities to support our young men and women that wish to compete in this sport is important. It’s a fun sport and participants gain the added benefit of learning the fundamentals of firearms safely early on.”
Shooting clubs that allow members of the public to shoot at reasonable times and for a reasonable fee are eligible for the grants, which require a one-to-one match.
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