Summary: Up until just a generation ago, rifle marksmanship programs were familiar features on school campuses in America. Millions of Americans learned to shoot at school programs taught in school basements, in school gyms and at ranges the schools took school children to as part of their school's marksmanship programs. Then it started disappearing in the 60s, even more in the 70s. By the 80s it had almost vanished. Very few schools remain that have active rifle marksmanship programs. But, that is starting to change. And we can help change it. When I was a kid, everyone I knew had firearms and did at least some type of shooting. Hunting, skeet, target practice and just plinking on evenings and weekends. Even all of the girls I knew growing up knew how to shoot. Now, I live rurally, and of the kids living out rurally today, very few have had any kind of experience, introduction or instruction in firearms and shooting. I imagine the kids in cities have had even less. This poses a very real problem for the future of our 2nd Amendment rights. When these millions of kids, who have never had any involvement in the shooting sports industry become of voting age, they will have no dog in this hunt. To them, having the right to posses or use a firearm means nothing. They have never owned a firearm, never experienced shooting, so what would they miss? Getting rifle marksmanship into the Schools should be a priority for Americans who are concerned about the direction the erosion of our 2A rights has been taking. We should be pushing for a very up front and aggressive educational program for rifle marksmanship in our schools. Jim and Kim Heath, two of the Appleseed Project volunteers have been doing just that and they will be on the show tonight to tell us how to go about getting rifle marksmanship programs into our schools. You can add your voice to the discussion by calling 347-308-8790 Hope to see you there!
