New proposed bill aims to repeal Pittman-Robertson Act
Turkeys For Tomorrow encourages everyone to TAKE ACTION TODAY and protect conservation and your freedom to hunt! Use the link below and OPPOSE this Anti-Conservation Bill in Congress Now!
https://act.safariclub.org/
For 85 years in the United States, the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, has raised billions of dollars for wildlife research and habitat acquisition. The Pittman-Robertson Act, which is funded by a 10 to 11 percent excise tax on hunting gear, including firearms, is arguably the most important source of conservation funding in the United States.
H.R. 8167, Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia has taken aim at Pittman-Robertson’s current funding in the name of Second Amendment rights.
Recently, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-R) introduced the RETURN (Repealing Excise Tax on Unalienable Rights Now) our Constitutional Rights Act. The bill is named the “RETURN (Repealing Excise Tax on Unalienable Rights Now) our Constitutional Rights Act of 2022”. It would eliminate the excise tax on guns, ammunition, and archery tackle that fund Pittman-Robertson. He introduced the bill on June 22, 2022, with the support of 53 co-sponsors.
According to Safari Club International “This bill would eliminate a primary funding source for state fish and wildlife agencies. Since 1937, The Pittman-Robertson Act has put $15 billion towards wildlife conservation, hunter recruitment, construction of public shooting ranges and other activities. In fact, the excise tax directed by Pittman-Robertson generated more than $1 billion in funding last year alone.”
Turkeys For Tomorrow states, “The Pittman-Robertson Act provides the fuel for the most successful conservation initiative on the planet, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. This self imposed tax on hunting goods has provided 15 billion dollars for wildlife management.”
TFT encourages all hunters and conservationists to loudly express their disapproval of House Bill 8167 immediately! If not hunters, if not you, who will?
TFT and other NGOs feel The Pittman-Robertson American System of Conservation funding is a system that works for hunters, states, and wildlife. “With anti-hunting sentiment growing culturally in the United States, the last thing Congress should do is remove the hunter-funded system of conservation.” – SCI
According to Field and Stream “Clyde also wants to repeal the $200 tax on Class III guns and believes any state and local sales taxes on guns are illegal. In addition to eliminating the excise tax on guns and ammunition, Clyde’s bill also would remove taxes on fishing rods and limit taxes on outboard motors and tackle boxes to a 3 percent rate. He proposes to use “unallocated funds” from leases from on- and offshore energy exploitation on federal lands. Those funds are collected by the Department of the Interior and total between $6 and nearly $12 billion a year depending on the level of leasing. The energy lease revenues, which tend to fluctuate widely, are already divided among other competing needs, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund.”
Conservationists and hunters alike led the original effort to create the Pittman-Robertson funding system during the Great Depression. If we do not take a stand against H.R. 8167, our country’s state wildlife agencies, and critical conservation organizations will find themselves in severe financial jeopardy.
Photo Credit: Dan Braman Photography
I am absolutely against repealing the Pittman Robertson Act 💯 %….what is Wrong with (you people) the government….
Trying to remove one of the pivotal piece of conservation is absolutely ridiculous. I’m against this nonsense.
Removing The Pittman Robertson Act would be extremely detrimental to Conservation Efforts. This Act not only provides funds for Conservation but allows monies to be allocated towards Hunter Education, Firearm Safety and Critical Habitat projects for Game and non game species. I am not only a hunter and conservationist but a Hunter Education Instructor. I completely disagree with and am against this devastating bill.
Please reach out to OUR elected representatives through the webform mail found on each Congress Critter’s web site at https://senate.gov and https://www.house.gov.
They work for us, remind them this does not need to be changed.
This goes against every form of conservation and preservation. The Pittman-Robertson Act is the foundation of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. This won’t be talked about for long. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
It’s a crazy idea to do away with funding that helps pay conservation officers’ salaries. These wildlife officers are the first line of defense against shootings, drug runners, illegal immegrants and other law breakers in huge areas of the United States.