The Biden administration’s latest move is more than just an attack on our Second Amendment rights; it’s an attack on our way of life, heritage, and culture. For years the anti-gun crowd has told us, “You don’t need an AR-15 to hunt”, all while proclaiming their support for hunters saying they would never try to ban hunting or hunting firearms.
They have now decided to go after hunting and are starting with the youth of America.
The Biden administration has decided to withhold vital federal funding from schools that offer hunting and archery programs. This decision falls under the guidelines set by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed in the previous year. The Department of Education’s interpretation of these laws means that school hunting and archery classes are now ineligible to receive federal support, potentially affecting millions of American children participating in these activities.
It’s a punch in the gut to millions of American children and their families – a calculated attack on our rights, traditions, and future.
Tommy Floyd, the president of the National Archery in the Schools Program, told Fox News Digital, “It’s a negative for children.” … “In many communities, it’s a shooting sport, and the skills from shooting sports, that help young people grow to be responsible adults. They also benefit from relationships with role models.” And he’s absolutely right. These are programs that help young people grow into responsible adults. They benefit from relationships with role models and learn skills that many communities cherish.
“You’ve got every fish and wildlife agency out there working so hard to utilize every scrap of funding, not only for the safety and hunter education, but for the general understanding of why stewardship is so important when it comes to natural resources,” Floyd continued. “Any guidance where it’s even considered a ‘maybe’ or a prohibition for shooting sports is a huge negative.” “It is ironic that the U.S. Department of Education is actively denying young Americans the chance to educate themselves on basic firearm and hunting safety so that they can go afield knowing how to keep themselves, their friends, and family safe,” Ben Cassidy, executive vice president for international government and public affairs at Safari Club International (SCI), told Fox News Digital.
In addition, the National Shooting Sports Foundation blasted the Education Department’s interpretation of the BSCA, saying it was part of the administration’s attacks on the Second Amendment.
In an article on the NSSF blog, Larry Keane wrote, “When repeatedly attacking the Second Amendment, gun owners and the firearm industry, the president constantly tries to assuage those skeptical of claims – “this isn’t about hunting,” “you don’t need that to hunt deer,” “I own shotguns.” The Second Amendment isn’t about hunting at all, but the president’s recent decision reveals his contempt for lawful and safe gun ownership. It’s an attack on hunting and a calculated backdoor attack on gun rights and ownership.”
The Biden administration’s justification for withholding the funds, claiming it’s based on a straightforward interpretation of the BSCA, has been met with disapproval and rejection from Congressional lawmakers across both political parties.
“We were alarmed to learn recently that the Department of Education has misinterpreted the BCSA to require the defending of certain longstanding educational and enrichment programs — specifically, archery and hunter education classes — for thousands of children…,” U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) wrote in a letter to Secretary Cardona. “The Department mistakenly believes that the BSCA precludes funding these enrichment programs. Such an interpretation contradicts congressional intent and the text of the BSCA.”
Sens. Cornyn and Tillis wrote that the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provides $1 billion for such activities under Section 4108 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 – or “activities to support safe and healthy students.” They added, “Critical educational programs like archery and hunter education fall well within this scope to promote student safety and health.” Mental health experts are already warning that blocking the funds and eliminating these programs will contribute to mental health problems for young participants.