The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was signed by the President last year. It’s now clear that there was more than just another dose of gun control buried in the bill. It’s become apparent that language in the bill could kill practically all public-school archery [National Archery in the Schools Program], hunter education programs, and other shooting sports programs nationwide.
The Biden Administration’s interpretation of BSCA prohibits Elementary and Secondary Education Act [ESEA] funds from helping provide any person with a dangerous weapon or to provide “training in the use of a dangerous weapon.”
Under BSCA, if a school has hunter ed programs, a trap shooting program, an archery program [NASP], that school can no longer use ESEA tax dollars to fund them. While some school programs receive Pittman-Robertson money, many cash-strapped districts lean on ESEA funds. Under BSCA that can no longer happen, and it could mean the end of hundreds of school programs across the country.
Fortunately, Members of Congress from both side of the aisle have accused the Biden administration or perverting the original intent of the BSCA, while the Department of Education stands firm on the Administration’s position that these programs cannot be funded under ESEA. A Department of Education spokesperson said, “The Department is administering the bipartisan law as written by Congress.”
As odd as it may seem, New York has largely dodged this latest bullet. The state has a vibrant NASP program that DOES NOT rely on ESEA funding. We have school archery programs across the state and yearly competitions that end up with our kids competing in national tournaments. DEC has the situation well in hand.
As for Hunter Ed and other shooting sports programs; while there are students from local schools participating in programs, the programs are not run by the schools, and they do not rely on funding from the school districts.
According to national surveys, 40% of the students involved with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) said archery made them more engaged in the classroom. Nearly 15,000 students tournaments held annually, including New York’s participate in the program, with approximately 1,300 state level competition.
Much to the chagrin of the Biden Administration, trap shooting is one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the U.S. In July 2023, the 2023 USA High School Clay Target League National Championship took place in Mason, Michigan. More than 1,800 students from 460 high schools from across the country competed in individual and team events.
According to published reports, the National Shooting Foundation feels the move to defund safety and educational programs that have been overwhelmingly successful demonstrates that this administration is hostile not just to anything gun-related but also those initiatives that encourage tomorrow’s generation of outdoorsmen and women.
House votes overwhelmingly to protect funds
Congress debated and passed the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act less than two months after it was introduced. The House of Representatives passed the Bill in an overwhelming 425-1 vote. Subsequently, the Senate passed the Bill by unanimous consent and without amendment.
Hopefully, the President will put politics aside and sign the legislation as soon as it is laid on his desk.
It is important the President understands what these programs mean to our youth. Every sportsman and woman should call the White House and ask the President to sign the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act into law.
Call 202-456-1111 and make your voice heard.
