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Senate joint resolution urges Board of Regents to support collegiate shooting sports across Montana university campuses
Summary
Sen. John Fuller introduced Senate Joint Resolution 7 asking the Montana University System and Board of Regents to support collegiate shooting sports so in‑state athletes can compete without leaving Montana. Proponents included the Montana Shooting Sports Association and representatives from the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education; no
Senate Joint Resolution 7, introduced by Sen. John Fuller (Kalispell), urges the Montana University System and the Board of Regents to support collegiate shooting sports across campus programs so Montana student‑athletes can compete and remain in state.
“Montana has a lot of athletes that are an incredible good shooters in Montana that have to leave the state of Montana to go and compete at the collegiate level,” Fuller said. He framed the resolution as a request to the Board of Regents to consider facilitating competitive rifle, pistol and shotgun programs.
Jason Herndon of the Montana Shooting Sports Association and other proponents emphasized the club and coaching infrastructure in several communities and offered local ranges as partners so campuses would not necessarily need to build ranges. Herndon said local programs “have produced 5 NCAA champion, 5 NCAA collegiate shooters, 3 military academy shooters, and the current national pistol champion,” and urged legislative backing for the resolution.
Galen Hollenbaugh, deputy commissioner for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, said the commissioner’s office has seen growing student interest in shooting sports and described SJR7 as a framework for campuses and the Board of Regents to study and organize competitive shooting opportunities across the system.
Richie Melby testified on behalf of Secretary of State Christy Jacobson in support, calling the resolution a “bullseye” for second‑amendment traditions, scholarship opportunities, and potential economic benefits from events that draw visitors to communities.
The committee recorded no opponents or informational witnesses and accepted the testimony. The resolution will proceed through the committee process for any next steps with the Board of Regents.
