BOISE, Idaho – Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) joined Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) in calling out the Biden administration for its plan to block funding for elementary and secondary schools that have hunting and archery programs.

The letter condemns the Biden administration’s attempt to use last year’s gun control bill to justify defunding schools with hunter and archery education programs. More than 500,000 students participate in and are certified through hunter education courses each year. These important programs help students learn how to handle firearms safely, which decreases firearm-related injuries and accidents.

“We write to express our deep concern about the Biden administration’s attempt to use the gun control bill passed last year to block funding for elementary and secondary school,” wrote the Senators. “While the administration claims to be eliminating dangerous activities, this guidance will, in fact, have the opposite effect. These programs provided thousands of students with the opportunity to learn proper instruction for firearm and archery safety.”

“We voted against the gun control legislation. It is now clearer than ever that the Biden administration will use the bill to attack the constitutional rights of Americans. Hunting and archery are strongly connected to the traditions and heritage of America. This outrageous overreach is an attack on hunters and outdoor recreation that must be addressed,” the lawmakers stated.

Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) also signed the letter.

The full letter is available here.