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Youth gun training at police ranges

Published (3/9/2012)
By Nick Busse
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Police shooting ranges and other publicly owned facilities could be made to open their doors to youth receiving firearms safety training.

Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar) sponsors HF2353 that would require any publicly owned shooting range to be made available to youth pursuing their firearm safety certification. The House Government Operations and Elections Committee approved the bill March 7 and sent it to the House floor.

The shooting range must be made available during “hours reasonable for youth participants,” and ranges could charge a fee for any costs directly incurred, under the provisions.

Hackbarth said many youth in the Twin Cities metropolitan area have trouble finding access to a gun range so that they can finish their firearms safety certification.

Rob Boe, public safety project coordinator for the League of Minnesota Cities, said it might be difficult for some law enforcement ranges to accommodate youth activities. He said some police ranges are located in secure areas, and that police training schedules could be disrupted.

Supporters argued it’s only fair for facilities built with public money to open their doors to help education youth.

“We need to encourage young people to know how to shoot properly and safely,” said Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City).

Hackbarth said he planned to bring forward an amendment on the House floor that would address any concerns from law enforcement.

There is no Senate companion.

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