By Ethan Faverino |

State Representative Quang Nguyen (R-LD1) has introduced House Bill 2763, legislation designed to prevent the closure of Arizona’s public shooting ranges without thorough public review and legislative consideration.

The bill amends ARS § 17-621 to add a critical new requirement: No qualifying state-owned shooting range may be closed unless the Arizona Legislature adopts a joint resolution approving the closure.

This measure builds on the existing safeguards in the statute, which already mandate several steps before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission can close such a facility.

Under current law and the proposed amendments, closure of a state-owned shooting range located within or adjacent to a city with a population exceeding one million (such as those around Phoenix) would require all of the following:

1. A written recommendation from the Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

2. A detailed report from the Commission explaining the basis for the recommendation.

3. Unanimous approval by the Commission following public hearings in the three counties with the highest population.

4. Review of the recommendation by the Joint Committee on capital review.

5. Adoption of a joint resolution by the Legislature approving the closure.

6. Approval of the closure by the Governor via executive order.

HB 2763 specifically inserts the legislative joint resolution step (as item 5 in the amended list) to ensure that decisions affecting statewide public assets receive full oversight from elected representatives.

Arizona is home to ten public shooting facilities owned by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, which serve as critical, state-managed venues for firearm safety training and recreational shooting.

“Public shooting ranges that belong to the people of Arizona should not be shut down by administrative fiat or behind closed doors,” emphasized Representative Nguyen. “If a statewide asset is going to be closed, that decision should be made in public, with full legislative approval.”

The legislation holds particular significance for the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix – the largest publicly operated shooting facility in the United States. Operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Ben Avery serves tens of thousands of Arizonans annually through law enforcement qualifications, firearm safety training, hunter education, and competitive shooting events.

The range predates much of the surrounding urban development and was established to promote safe and regulated shooting activities.

“Ben Avery was built to promote safety,” Nguyen stated. “If this range were ever closed, shooting wouldn’t stop. It would be pushed into unregulated desert areas, creating serious public safety risks and environmental damage. That outcome helps no one.”

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.