Downstate Lawmaker Wants to Drop School Archery and Rifle Programs
New York State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) says archery and riflery programs in schools push a "gun culture" and should not be offered to students.
Rosenthal says she authored her bill to ban the programs after finding out that the Parkland, Florida school shooting suspect had participated in marksmanship programs at Parkland before allegedly killing 17 people at the school.
Those who support the programs say they teach safety as well as patience, self-discipline and concentration and those characteristics transfer to the classroom.
In 2017, New York State had 28 school air riflery teams in addition to several archery teams, many of which teach target shooting rather than bow hunting skills.