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HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen continued her work on the Land Board by standing for Montana hunters and shooters. During Monday’s monthly meeting, Secretary Jacobsen asked her fellow Land Board members to consider a shooting range in western Montana.
Secretary Jacobsen brought a motion for the Land Board to discuss the placement of a shooting range near Lincoln, Montana, to provide an established shooting facility serving Montanans in the area. The all-Republican Land Board unanimously approved her motion to place the topic on the June Land Board agenda.
Implementing an official shooting facility in the area would provide a safe, suitable place for hunter sight-in, youth firearms safety and hunter education, as well as the potential for shooting competitions.
“I was fortunate, as I’m sure all of you were, to be taught firearm safety and education in middle school,” said Secretary Jacobsen, who recalled fond memories of learning to shoot at C.R. Anderson Middle School in Helena. “I believe this is a valuable tool that should be available to youth across the state.”
Secretary Jacobsen’s motion has the support of the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) and the Lincoln Sportsmen’s Club (LSC). According to MSSA officials, the proposal also has the support of the county commissioners and sheriffs, including those in Lewis and Clark County.
“On behalf of Montana Shooting Sports Association members across the state, we appreciate Secretary Jacobsen bringing this motion for an additional shooting opportunity near Lincoln,” said MSSA President Gary Marbut. “Local shooters and hunters deserve a dedicated space to sight in their rifles for hunting season, to practice for competitions, and to educate Montana youth on the proper safety and handling of firearms. Having safe and suitable places for people to shoot will also help reduce conflicts on nearby public and private lands.”