Montana Moves Closer to Official Collegiate Shooting Sports

Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has officially filed Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJ 7) into law, bringing the prospect of collegiate shooting sports one step closer in Montana’s higher education system.

Sponsored by Senator John Fuller (SD-4), the bipartisan measure calls on the Montana Board of Regents and University System to adopt shooting sports competitions as sanctioned collegiate sports, while also providing endowments and scholarships to student-athletes.

Secretary Jacobsen, a vocal supporter of Second Amendment rights, championed the resolution throughout the 69th Legislature and testified in its favor. “Montana has a long history of decorated competitive shooters,” she said, noting that official programs would let homegrown talent earn scholarships and bring national recognition to Montana schools. Beyond boosting student opportunities, Jacobsen highlighted the positive economic impact of attracting visitors and supporting Montana’s firearm, shooting, and ammunition manufacturers.

“I strongly support our Second Amendment rights and all of the educational, extracurricular, and economic opportunities that collegiate shooting sports would bring to the state of Montana,” Jacobsen stated in her testimony. “This legislation would allow these homegrown standouts to earn scholarships and win competitions for our Montana schools.”

Currently, some Montana colleges recognize student-led or club-level shooting teams, typically focused on disciplines such as trap shooting, skeet, or rifle. However, these programs are usually organized as student clubs or intramural activities rather than NCAA-sanctioned varsity sports. The adoption of SJ 7 could change that dynamic by encouraging the Montana University system to formalize shooting sports under its athletic programs. This would allow student-athletes to compete in officially recognized collegiate events and qualify for scholarships—much like other varsity teams. It mirrors a growing trend in other states, where once informal clubs have evolved into fully sanctioned shooting programs.

Walter Zobell, a Jackson, Montana native who earned an economics degree from Montana State University, exemplifies Montana’s potential for producing world-class shooting athletes. He competed in the mixed trap event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, won four medals in the World Shooting Championships, and took home two golds in the Pan American Games.

“Collegiate shooting sports would also enhance Montana’s economy,” Jacobsen concluded. “Such events would attract visitors to local businesses and support our state’s firearm, shooting, and ammunition manufacturers.”