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Dr. Rand Paul Continues Fight Against Biden Administration’s Assault on Kentucky Values and School Programs

Educating Responsible Future Hunters Act Would Protect Kentucky Archery and Hunting Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced the Educating Responsible Future Hunters Act as a response to the Biden Administration's plan to withhold funding from schools with hunting and archery programs. The Administration's decision is based on a misinterpretation of a provision in last year's gun control legislation. Dr. Paul's legislation aims to protect Kentucky values and ensure the continuation of these vital school programs.

Dr. Paul previously fought to protect Kentuckians' rights during the Senate's consideration of gun control legislation. He proposed amendments, including the removal of the provision preventing schools from using funds for arming and training personnel to protect students and teachers.

"The Biden Administration is using the same provision I fought to have stripped from the gun control bill to wrongly justify their assault on Kentucky students’ hunting and archery programs," said Dr. Paul. "My Educating Responsible Future Hunters Act permanently removes that provision and ensures the Administration’s baseless attack on Kentucky and American values ends at the federal level."

To support this effort, U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-5) will introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"The federal government has no business imposing federal restrictions on local schools that choose to offer programs to educate students on firearm safety and the skills required for hunting and archery," said Congressman Ogles. "I'm pleased to be able to join Dr. Paul in this effort to push back against the Biden Administration's proposed block of federal funds for schools that offer these extracurricular courses."

The Educating Responsible Future Hunters Act would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by eliminating the restriction on using funds for the provision of weapons or training. It would also permit funding for training students in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports.

More than 500,000 students participate and are certified through hunter education courses each year. These programs play a crucial role in teaching students how to handle firearms safely and reducing firearm-related injuries and accidents.

The Educating Responsible Future Hunters Act is currently cosponsored by Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), J.D. Vance (R-OH), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). The legislation is endorsed by the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR), Gun Owners of America (GOA), and Second Amendment Hunters.

For more information, you can read the full text of the Educating Responsible Future Hunters Act HERE.

Background:

Dr. Paul and 18 Senate Republicans sent a letter to President Biden, urging his administration to withdraw its plans to block funding for elementary and secondary schools with hunting and archery programs.

During consideration of the gun control bill in the Senate last year, Dr. Paul introduced several amendments and solutions to address the constitutional deficiencies of the legislation. Had one of Dr. Paul's amendments been adopted instead of blocked, the Biden Administration would have been unable to use the gun control bill to threaten the existence of these educational activities.

While Dr. Paul voted against the gun control bill, 15 Republican Senators joined with Democrats to pass it.

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The post Dr. Rand Paul Continues Fight Against Biden Administration’s Assault on Kentucky Values and School Programs appeared first on Senator Rand Paul.

-----For more information:- Educating Responsible Future Hunters Act: [link](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.paul.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Educating-Responsible-Future-Hunters-Act.pdf__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!JzeQPcNcoKMQvXt8IWvR88PHS4xNkG8fKsz_89knCRdGhB_RVjAt2xi5OUsNC3CGaOHmSYnjy75aAj7BXv02FaUqily4PxULxKN08eLm%24)- Letter to President Biden: [link](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/3b5983dc-e2b4-4744-a335-ae17d88bbbfc/08.11.23-letter