WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced the Allowing for Recreational Resources for Outdoor Wellness (ARROW) Act to stop the Biden administration from blocking funding for elementary and secondary schools with hunting and archery programs.
This legislation would clarify that the prohibition of the use of federal education funds for certain weapons does not apply to the use of funds for sports clubs, teams, trainings, or related activities provided for students.
“President Biden's attempt to defund schools with archery and firearm safety programs is an attack on Idahoans,” said Risch. “These programs are vital to Idahoans who legally exercise their Second Amendment rights for hunting and other recreational activities critical to the state's heritage.”
“Hunting and archery are strong traditions Idahoans enjoy as a means of engaging with the natural beauty and bounty of their environment,” said Crapo. “The Biden Administration continues to attack the way Idahoans live with counterproductive measures that decrease the safety and knowledge these programs provide. The ARROW Act supports the education of young sportsmen and women.”
“The Biden administration continues its attack on our constitutional rights and Wyoming values,” said Barrasso. “Now, President Biden’s Department of Education is blocking funding for schools with hunter education and archery programs. These important programs help students learn proper firearm instruction and archery safety. These valuable programs decrease firearm-related injuries and accidents. They also connect our students to the long-standing heritage and traditions of America and the West. Our legislation will stop any attempts to block funding for schools with hunter education and archery programs and keep Washington politics out of Wyoming’s schools.”
This bill has received support from the National Rifle Association, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Safari Club International, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Cosponsors of this bill include U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).
Background:
Risch, Crapo, and Barrasso sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to withdraw any plans to block funding for schools with hunting and archery programs.
Every year, more than 500,000 students participate and are certified through hunter education courses. These programs have decreased hunting accidents by over 50 percent.
According to the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP), 1.3 million students in over 8,000 schools across the country participate in archery programs each year. Nearly 40 percent of these students who participate have reported being more engaged in the classroom.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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