Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) joined Republican senators to introduce a bill in support of funding for school hunting and archery courses.
The Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act seeks to remedy the crackdown by the Biden administration on the effort as part of its gun control agenda.
Sinema joins GOP senators on bill to reverse Biden admin's crackdown on school hunting, archery classes https://t.co/q1nE86Jwmt
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) September 18, 2023
"The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act made historic investments in mental health and school hardening while preserving law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights, and the Biden administration’s misinterpretation of the law is unacceptable," Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"Educational enrichment programs like hunting and archery are critical to our next generation’s development and well-being, and this legislation would ensure they remain available in schools across the nation," he continued.
My bipartisan Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act is a win for our nation’s students who choose to participate in shooting sports. We should be encouraging our kids to get out in nature, not defund their chance to do so.https://t.co/tg0PCAF8JB
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) September 18, 2023
“This is a win for our nation’s students who choose to participate in shooting sports. Defunding shooting sports in schools would be a disservice to students. These extracurricular activities are keeping kids out of trouble, making them more focused at school, helping them build community, and giving them scholarship opportunities. Sports like archery and trap shooting are some of the fastest-growing sports in the country,” Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) said of the House's related bill.
“If applied equally, this interpretation of this law should also restrict funding for other school activities like fencing, track and field activities, and even the culinary arts. But instead, shooting sports are being targeted. This isn’t right or fair,” he added.
The bill comes after Biden's Department of Education shared plans to strip funding for the programs in its 2020 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
The act claimed that the course used "technically dangerous weapons" and may not be funded.
Some schools have already reportedly canceled their courses in the areas as a result.
The new effort may offer hope to schools looking to keep hunting and archery courses alive and growing in the days ahead.
