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Chicago Public Schools Chief Paul Vallas recently announced that he is ending all riflery programs in Chicago^s schools and in a similar situation, a November 22 Associated Press story reported that anti-gun pressure has forced the Lynbrook High School rifle team in Lynbrook, New York, to relocate its range.
The team had been using the basement of the Marion Street Elementary School for practice and competition for decades without any problems. Unfortunately, school officials chose to move the practice area off the elementary school^s campus when it became known that a group of parents was organizing a petition drive to protest the range. Of course, those involved with organized competitive shooting know that there was no cause for concern. Charles Tacke, who has coached riflery on Long Island for almost 25 years, responds to those with concerns over safety by asking, "How do you take out the only program that teaches gun safety and the proper way to handle a gun?" We hope that this trend will not continue, and common sense will prevail, as there are approximately 500 schools nationwide that have rifle teams. None has ever proven to be a safety problem, and, collectively, they have actually contributed to the steady decline in both firearm-related accidental fatality rates and numbers in America -- both of which are currently at all-time lows.
Uploaded: 12/6/1999
Uploaded: 12/6/1999