NEVADA FIREARMS COALITION
5575 Simmons Street, Suite 1-176
North Las Vegas, Nevada 89031
702-373-5935
www.nvfac.org
www.facebook.com/nvfac
[email protected]
March 29, 2017
RE: AB 373
Dear Chairman Flores:
Please accept these comments for the record for your hearing on AB 373 that will be
heard on March 30, 2017.
The Nevada Firearms Coalition STRONGLY OPPOSES the passage of this bill.
First, we are concerned that this bill is proposing to change the composition of
numerous boards in the state. It seems more appropriate that a bill to change to the
Wildlife Commission should be heard by the Natural Resources committee; or changing
the Transportation Board should be heard by the Transportation Committee. But that is
just our observation.
Our concern is the change being proposed to the Nevada Wildlife Commission.
The Nevada Wildlife Commission is charged with the regulation and management of
wildlife in the State of Nevada. Management programs and enforcement of rules and
regulations are administered via the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).
NDOW is primarily funded by hunters and fishermen who purchase hunting and
fishing licenses and also pay federal taxes on firearms, ammunition, fishing equipment
and other outdoor sports equipment. The current law requires that a majority of the
members of the Wildlife Commission (five members) be people who hunt and
fish. That is determined by their possession of a valid hunting and fishing license.
Hunting and fishing licenses revenues support the management of Nevada wildlife. This
law changes the dynamics of those who determine the expenditure of those funds, as
well as the management and regulation of wildlife, to a Commission where potentially a
minority of the members are representative of a majority of the citizens who fund their
programs.
1
DEDICATED TO THE OWNERSHIP & SAFE USE OF FIREARMS FOR SELF-DEFENSE,
COMPETITION, RECREATION & HUNTING
A pass to a state or national park is hardly a determinant of competency to regulate the
taking and management of wildlife or its habitat. This requirement is more applicable to
the State Parks Commission. This is totally unacceptable to the citizens of this state.
For special-interest funded programs, it is essential that those who produce the most
tax revenue and actively comply with the regulations are the most represented.
For these reasons, we are adamantly opposed to the bill as written. We hope the
sponsors will consider amendments to keep a majority of members of the Wildlife
Commission to those who pay for and follow the regulations of the Wildlife Commission.
Sincerely,
Don Turner, President
CC: Members of committee
Dina Neal, Vice Chair
Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod
Chris Brooks
Richard Carrillo
Skip Daly
Amber Joiner
William McCurdy II
Daniele Monroe-Moreno
John Ellison
Al Kramer
Jim Marchant
Richard McArthur
Melissa Woodbury
The Nevada Firearms Coalition is dedicated to the safe use of firearms for self-defense, competition, recreation
and hunting. We are the statewide Nevada grassroots organization representing the firearms owners of Nevada.
Our membership includes individuals, gun clubs, community organizations, and retail firearm corporations and
ranges. We are the State Association for the National Rifle Association, and a member of the National Shooting
Sports Foundation, USA Shooting and the Civilian Marksman Program.
2
DEDICATED TO THE OWNERSHIP & SAFE USE OF FIREARMS FOR SELF-DEFENSE,
COMPETITION, RECREATION & HUNTING