Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Right on Target!
Not only did the College of Cardinals get it right, but the State of Arizona is thinking clearly in other matters as well:
Marksmanship for High School Diploma Enacted - Governor Signs Bill, Teaches Actual Gun Safety
A gun-safety bill for children breaks new ground. Worth one credit toward a high school diploma, the course requires Arizona students to safely discharge a firearm at a target to pass. American high schools used to have firing ranges in the basement, but the tradition began fading in the late 1960s. Gun-rights proponents believe that training and education leads to increased safety and responsible behavior.
The bill's designers, concerned that "gun safety" could be turned into "gun avoidance" by gun-control politics, included statutory rules like the "shoot safely" requirement, to prevent unintended change. Other requirements include: Instruction on the role of firearms in preserving peace and freedom; the constitutional roots of the right to keep and bear arms; the history of firearms and marksmanship; the basic operation of firearms; practice time at a shooting range, and more.
The Arizona Game and Fish Dept. (AGFD), specified by law as the course instructors, are discussing the specifics of the curriculum. AGFD has currently trained more than 18,000 school students in archery, a shooting sport, and are pleased with the final version of the bill, which they supported.
The law began as an idea and rough draft from Bloomfield Press publisher Alan Korwin, who asked, "Why don't we make marksmanship a requirement for a high school diploma? We know many kids get no gun-safety training, and marksmanship teaches responsibility, improves concentration, and affects national preparedness." Because a required course would have budget implications and likely sink the bill, State Senator Karen Johnson introduced the class as an elective. It sailed through the Senate unanimously, and through the House by a veto-proof nearly three-to-one margin. Governor Janet Napolitano signed it into law on April 11 (the text follows).
One television reporter, obviously nervous about providing such education, asked, "Don't you think kids will rush to line up just so they can get a chance to go shooting?" Without hesitating Korwin replied, "If it's that popular, and kids get all that safety training and experience, that would be a good thing."
Marksmanship for High School Diploma Enacted - Governor Signs Bill, Teaches Actual Gun Safety
A gun-safety bill for children breaks new ground. Worth one credit toward a high school diploma, the course requires Arizona students to safely discharge a firearm at a target to pass. American high schools used to have firing ranges in the basement, but the tradition began fading in the late 1960s. Gun-rights proponents believe that training and education leads to increased safety and responsible behavior.
The bill's designers, concerned that "gun safety" could be turned into "gun avoidance" by gun-control politics, included statutory rules like the "shoot safely" requirement, to prevent unintended change. Other requirements include: Instruction on the role of firearms in preserving peace and freedom; the constitutional roots of the right to keep and bear arms; the history of firearms and marksmanship; the basic operation of firearms; practice time at a shooting range, and more.
The Arizona Game and Fish Dept. (AGFD), specified by law as the course instructors, are discussing the specifics of the curriculum. AGFD has currently trained more than 18,000 school students in archery, a shooting sport, and are pleased with the final version of the bill, which they supported.
The law began as an idea and rough draft from Bloomfield Press publisher Alan Korwin, who asked, "Why don't we make marksmanship a requirement for a high school diploma? We know many kids get no gun-safety training, and marksmanship teaches responsibility, improves concentration, and affects national preparedness." Because a required course would have budget implications and likely sink the bill, State Senator Karen Johnson introduced the class as an elective. It sailed through the Senate unanimously, and through the House by a veto-proof nearly three-to-one margin. Governor Janet Napolitano signed it into law on April 11 (the text follows).
One television reporter, obviously nervous about providing such education, asked, "Don't you think kids will rush to line up just so they can get a chance to go shooting?" Without hesitating Korwin replied, "If it's that popular, and kids get all that safety training and experience, that would be a good thing."
