Biden Administration Under Fire For Blocking Federal Funding To Schools With Hunting And Archery Programs

According to federal guidance shared with Fox News Digital, the Department of Education has determined that these programs are precluded from receiving federal funding under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year. This interpretation could impact millions of American children enrolled in such programs.

Tommy Floyd, the president of the National Archery in the Schools Program, expressed his concern about the decision, stating that it is a negative development for children. He emphasized the importance of shooting sports in helping young people grow into responsible adults and benefit from relationships with role models.

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Floyd's organization has 1.3 million students from nearly 9,000 schools across 49 states enrolled in archery courses. Some schools have already canceled plans to include archery or hunting education courses in their curriculum due to the Education Department's guidance.

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The BSCA, passed in June 2022, seeks to promote safer and more inclusive school environments. It included an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that prohibits federal school funding from providing any person with a dangerous weapon or training in the use of a dangerous weapon.

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July 29, 2023

However, Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have expressed concern that the Education Department is misinterpreting the provision, which they argue was intended to withhold education funds for programs training school resource officers, not for hunting and archery classes. They have written a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, urging him to reconsider the interpretation.

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The senators argue that the Education Department's interpretation contradicts congressional intent and the text of the BSCA. They note that schools offering hunting and archery programs fall within the scope of activities to support safe and healthy students, which the ESEA explicitly funds. The ESEA is the primary source of federal aid for elementary and secondary education across the country, and the BSCA earmarked an additional $1 billion for educational activities under the ESEA.

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Critics of the Education Department's decision argue that it denies young Americans the chance to educate themselves on basic firearm and hunting safety. They believe that the policy undermines hunters' ability to pass down hunting traditions to the next generation. Ben Cassidy, executive vice president for international government and public affairs at Safari Club International (SCI), called the decision ironic and expressed concern about the safety implications. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) also criticized the interpretation, accusing the Education Department of violating the letter and spirit of the law and attacking the Second Amendment.

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Both SCI and NSSF have been vocal in their opposition to recent Biden administration actions targeting hunting more broadly. Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service introduced new prohibitions on the type of equipment hunters can use on federal refuges. Critics argue that these rules punish hunters and restrict Americans' access to hunting on public lands.