FOX NEWS UPDATE: Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., are raising concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of a bipartisan law from last year that affects funding for hunting and archery courses in schools.
According to Fox News Digital, the Department of Education has interpreted the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) in a way that prevents schools from receiving federal funding for hunter education and archery programs. This has prompted criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
The BSCA, which some have labeled as a “”gun control”” bill, was introduced and passed with broad support in Congress before being signed into law by President Biden in June 2022. The law aimed to create safer and more inclusive schools in response to tragic mass shootings.
However, an amendment to the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was included in the BSCA, listing prohibited uses for federal school funding. Among them, the amendment disallowed funding for any person with a dangerous weapon or providing “”training in the use of a dangerous weapon.””
As a result, the Department of Education has interpreted this amendment to deny federal funds to elementary and secondary school courses that teach children about shooting sports, such as hunting and archery.
Sens. Sinema and Manchin, along with Sens. Cornyn and Tillis, who were co-sponsors of the BSCA, disagree with this interpretation. They argue that hunting and archery classes should be eligible for funding and not penalized.
Hannah Hurley, a spokesperson for Sinema, stated that they are working with lawmakers from both parties and the Biden administration to resolve the issue and ensure that the law’s original intent is upheld.
In response to the controversy, Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., has introduced legislation to clarify that school programs that involve training students in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports should be eligible for funding.
Various hunting and pro-Second Amendment groups, including Safari Club International, National Shooting Sports Foundation, International Order of T. Roosevelt, Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation, and the National Rifle Association, have also expressed their disapproval of the Education Department’s interpretation.
The debate over the funding of hunting and archery classes in schools continues, as lawmakers and interest groups seek to find a resolution that supports these valuable programs in our nation’s education system.
Source Fox News
