HARRISBURG — State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Johnstown, voted to protect the rights of sportsmen and firearm owners in Pennsylvania by helping advance a bill that would open outdoor clubs and shooting ranges, while classifying the firearms industry businesses as life sustaining.

“Weeks ago, the governor opened private campgrounds and golf clubs, but inexplicably excluded outdoor clubs and shooting ranges,” Burns said. “This bill, which I co-sponsored, rights that wrong and would open these facilities for the public. If golf clubs and driving ranges can operate safely, so can sportsmen clubs and shooting ranges, where it’s easy to maintain social distancing measures.”

House Bill 2440, also known as the Hunting, Firearm and Ammunition Life-Sustaining Business Act, would also classify these businesses, including those related to the sale and production of firearms and ammunition, as life sustaining. The bill heads to the Senate for further consideration.