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Earlier this month, news outlets began reporting that federal funding for archery and hunter education programs in public schools was being eliminated under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA).
The issue stems from the Department of Education (DOE) relying on too strict of an interpretation of language in the bill that excludes funds for “training in the use of a dangerous weapon”. However, this interpretation of the language is inconsistent with the legislative intent, largely driven by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), to prohibit funds from being used for training school resource officers because the Senator had concerns with more armed personnel in schools.
CBH/SAA hopes that the DOE can reverse this action without needing a legislative fix. Our lobbyist Bill Gaines engaged the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Leaders and Rep. Mike
Thompson’s (D/CA-4) and his staff to author a bipartisan letter to the DOE on this concern. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force so we expect his letter to carry significant weight. I am pleased to say that this letter was delivered to the
Secretary of the DOE on Friday!
The letter highlights the importance of enrichment programs like archery and hunter education in helping youth develop life skills, learn firearm safety, and build self-esteem. Furthermore,
these programs support a healthy and active lifestyle and mental health. The letter also highlights the success of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), which engages 1.3 million students each year, including students with developmental and/or physical challenges. Participation in NASP helps students perform better in school and helps them develop confidence, humility, ability to handle pressure, sportsmanship, dealing with success and failure, and being part of a team - ALL of which are essential life skills.
CBH/SAA and Gaines and Associates will continue to work on this issue in a variety of ways to ensure that this critical funding for archery programs and hunter education is restored ASAP. Stay tuned!
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