States are expanding public shooting opportunities, modernizing aging facilities and improving access for recreational marksmen and women — and they’re doing it with a powerful combination of federal support and industry-backed reforms.
At the center of that progress is the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, a longstanding conservation funding mechanism supported by excise taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers. While the program is widely known for supporting wildlife conservation, habitat restoration and hunter education, it also provides critical funding for public shooting range development and improvements.
Efforts by NSSF have made those funds more accessible and impactful. Combined with ongoing supervision and distribution of funds by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the states, new ranges are opening, existing facilities are being modernized and public access to safe, structured shooting environments is expanding.
NSSF-Led Reform
For years, states faced barriers to using Pittman-Roberson funds for shooting range development. The previous funding formula required states to cover 25 percent of project costs upfront, with a 75 percent federal match, and projects had to be completed within three years.
That changed with the enactment of the federal Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act, an NSSF priority. The law reduced the state funding requirement to just 10 percent, increased the federal match to 90 percent and extended the project completion window to five years. The bill was a direct outgrowth of dialogue between NSSF and state fish and game agencies on how to establish more opportunities for recreational target shooting.
The result has been a measurable increase in range construction and modernization nationwide. Since the law took effect, dozens of projects have been completed or are underway, demonstrating how targeted policy reform can — and does — translate into real-world access and infrastructure improvements.
Across the country, states are using these expanded funding opportunities to deliver tangible results.
In South Dakota, a state-owned $20 million, 400-acre public shooting complex opened following investment supported by Pittman-Robertson funds. The facility provides a modern, accessible venue for recreational shooters, competitive events and training programs.
Ohio is undertaking a major overhaul of an existing public range. The Trumbull County Grand River Wildlife Area Shooting Range is undergoing an $11.3 million overhaul, demonstrating how states can use the funding not just for new construction, but also for modernization and expansion of existing infrastructure.
In Alaska and Maine, public shooting facilities have been reopened following upgrades that improved safety, accessibility and environmental compliance. These projects highlight the ability to bring older facilities to current standards rather than allowing them to fall into further disrepair. That’s a key benefit of the program.
Florida and other states have also moved forward with projects that expand public access, particularly in areas where population growth has increased the demand for safe, regulated shooting environments.
These examples reflect a broader trend of states that increasingly view public shooting ranges as essential infrastructure, not optional amenities.
Partner with a Payer
That progress is indicative of the effectiveness of the Partner with a Payer program, which brings together state agencies, firearm industry officials and USFWS leadership to bring together the industry that pays the excise tax that funds the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration programs and the state agencies that use those funds to benefit citizens.
This coordination has proven critical. While Pittman-Robertson funding has long been available for public range development, some states underutilized those funds due to matching requirements, administrative complexity or limited awareness of how funds could be utilized.
Since enactment of the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act, the USFWS’s Partner with a Payer program has helped spotlight range projects nationwide, from new construction to modernization of existing facilities. These projects are expanding access, improving safety standards and ensuring ranges are designed to meet growing participation in the shooting sports.
Policy Success, Continued Momentum
The success of the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act demonstrates what effective policy and industry leadership can achieve when aligned with state-level execution. State officials respond when federal funding structures align with practical realities on the ground. The benefits for recreational shooters buying firearms and ammunition mean more access, better facilities and stronger support for safe and responsible participation.
As more projects come online, the impact of this reform will only grow. Stakeholders should watch for continued state-level announcements, additional modernization efforts and ongoing federal guidance that further streamlines access to these funds.
Jenn Jacques is Public Affairs Manager at the National Shooting Sports Foundation.