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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."
Contact:
Alan Korwin
BLOOMFIELD PRESS