President Signs Bipartisan Bill To Protect Hunter Safety Classes Into Law

On Oct. 6, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan legislation into law that protects the use of federal funds for hunter safety and shooting sports classes. The bipartisan law requires the Department of Education to restore school districts’ ability to use federal resources for school archery, gun safety, and hunter education programs.

Montana congressional leaders all expressed the opposition to President Biden’s initial plans to defund hunting and shooting courses in Montana schools.

“I’m glad to see President Biden come to his senses and reverse this attack on our Montana way of life. Montanans have been passing down the tradition of hunting and shooting sports for generations--we won’t let Biden’s radical agenda stop that,” stated Senator Daines (R-MT) in a press statement. “President Biden finally listened to Montanans and today signed a bill reversing his own decision to gut Montana hunter safety and archery courses. Our Montana way of life is not up for negotiation, Mr. President.”

“Montanans sent me to the Senate to protect our rural way of life, and that’s exactly why I stood up to the Biden Administration’s decision to block the use of federal dollars for hunter safety classes,” said Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT). “As a third-generation Montanan, I had the opportunity to learn about the importance of responsible gun ownership and hunting from these longstanding hunter education courses – and it’s critical that our kids and grandkids are afforded that same opportunity. I’m glad to see the President sign my commonsense solution into law, and I’ll continue to go to bat in Washington to make sure D.C. bureaucrats never shoot down our Montana way of life.”

“There is no excuse for the Department to misinterpret legislation in order to advance a progressive agenda at the expense of Montanans and their way of life,” said Representative Matt Rosendale (R-MT) in a letter to Secretary Cardona in August where he expressed opposition to the attempt by the Biden Administration to withhold $4.8 million from schools that offer a hunting safety or archery program through the Stronger Connections Grant Program.

“Archery teaches children focus, self-control, discipline, patience, and the life lessons required to be successful in school and throughout life. Hunting is a way of life in Montana, as it promotes conservation, stimulates the local economy, helps feed our population, and builds strong family bonds among others,” Rep. Rosendale later explained in the letter.