Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay and members of the Assembly Minority Conference today announced legislation has been introduced to protect shooting sports, including school-approved trap, skeet or clay target shooting teams, in New York state. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan, would clarify language in the firearm legislation enacted on July 1, 2022, which does not expressly exempt competitive shooting sports events, often held at sportsmen’s clubs, as “sensitive locations.” A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Pam Helming.

“I applaud Assemblyman Gallahan for introducing legislation to protect competitive shooting, particularly high school events around the state. Many students, especially those in upstate rural schools, participate on target shooting teams. It’s a part of their culture and tradition, and the fact that sportsmen organizations and clubs were lumped into the legislation passed earlier this summer all but screams how out-of-touch downstate liberals are–not everything is a one-size-fits-all approach. Sport shooting and target practice facilities should be exempt from being designated as a ‘sensitive location,’ and I fully support this new legislation,” said Leader Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski).

“As the founder and coach of a local high school trap shooting team, I know how valuable this sport is to our student-athletes. Shooting sports teach students the important life lessons that any other sport does, including teamwork, responsibility, goal setting and, additionally, safe firearms handling from properly trained instructors. It is a disgrace that Albany liberals are singling out shooting sports and these student-athletes. I am proud to sponsor this new legislation to ensure that these sports can continue and to protect our way of life,” said Assemblyman Gallahan (R,C-Manchester).

To help raise awareness of the recently-enacted legislation’s oversight and failure to exempt these sports and organizations, members of the Conference have also launched a petition to allow high school students to participate in trap shooting, a sport particularly popular among high school student-athletes in rural communities around the state.

Under the legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Hochul earlier this summer, firearms cannot be carried in “sensitive locations,” including all sporting events, thereby making it illegal for anyone, including high school trap team competitors, to possess any firearm. The law is scheduled to go into effect on Sept. 1, 2022.

“I participate in competitive skeet and sporting clays, two of the shooting sports. These sports have become increasingly popular in New York with high schools creating hundreds of teams across the state. It is important that our shooting sports be allowed to continue, particularly for our young people. The sports have long traditions in rural New York, and participants learn how to safely and properly handle firearms. I am thankful Assemblyman Gallahan has introduced this legislation to protect the future of shooting sports,” said Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia).

“When I first heard of the governor’s plan to squash our way of life, my first thoughts were of my son who participates in his school’s trap shooting program and of the life skills of patience, respect and camaraderie that he and the countless other student-athletes are learning. It’s policies like these that are causing our families, friends and neighbors to scratch their heads and pack their bags. I would like to thank Assemblyman Gallahan and Sen. Helming for introducing this legislation to preserve our culture throughout upstate New York. I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation, because it is about more than trap shooting, it is about preserving our traditions and passing our legacies on to our children,” said Assemblyman Brian Manktelow (R,C,I-Lyons).

“Shooting sports programs and competitions are conducted safely and responsibly, with applicable training and education. They should be allowed to operate as they always have—safely and successfully. The language in the law unfairly puts these programs at risk. Participation in these sports is growing, especially in our rural areas. We must amend the law immediately, so our student-athletes are able to compete and enjoy the educational and personal benefits of these sports. Thank you to Leader Barclay, Assemblyman Gallahan, and my Assembly colleagues for their support in this effort,” said Sen. Pam Helming (R,C,IP-54^th Senate District).

A link to the petition is available here.