Congressman Introduces Measure To Remove “Sporting Purposes” Clause

posted on May 31, 2017

U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has introduced a bill that would remove ATF’s authority to use the “sporting purposes” clauses in federal laws in ways that could undermine the core purpose of the Second Amendment.

Under House Resolution 2620, called the “Lawful Purpose and Self Defense Act,” all lawful purposes—including self-defense—would have to be given due consideration and respect in the administration of federal firearms law.

“The Founding Fathers were clear when they drafted the Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment is about security and self-defense,” Bishop said in a released statement. “Vagaries in today’s legal code pose a real threat to the right to keep and bear arms.”

The term “sporting purposes” is undefined by federal statute and has been subject to several reinterpretations by the ATF and its predecessor agency. In the past, anti-gun administrations have exploited the lack of a clear definition of “sporting purposes” to bypass Congress and impose gun control through executive fiat.

Use Your Power!

NRA-ILA is urging all members to contact their U.S. representative and ask him or her to cosponsor and support HR 2620. You can call your U.S. representative at (202) 225-3121, or contact him or her by clicking here.

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