St. Lawrence County legislators oppose Assembly bill that would prohibit marksmanship programs in public schools

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County’s Finance Committee is opposing an Assembly bill that would prohibit marksmanship programs in public schools.

Proposed Assembly bill A10428 would amend education law to prohibit public schools from offering shooting programs including “any competitive and recreational sporting activities involving proficiency tests of accuracy, precision and speed in using various types of ranged weapons, such as handguns, rifles, bows and crossbows.

“To allow this piece of legislation to advance would be a great disservice and would effectively end a program that teaches young people sportsmanship and firearm safety in a practical and hands-on manner while protecting and preserving the second amendment rights and educating the younger generation to use those rights judiciously and correctly,” the resolution says. “Trap, skeet, sporting clays, and other shooting programs provide a number of benefits for youth when incorporated into school programs, such as providing physical activity, teaching discipline and responsibility, educating students on recreational shooting and hunting and encouraging the safe handling of firearms.”

The resolution will go before the full board of legislators, which includes the same members as the finance committee, at the next county meeting.

If it passes, it will then be forwarded to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Assembly members Addie Jenne, Billy Jones, Marc Butler and Ken Blankenbush. It will also be forwarded to senators Joseph Griffo, Patricia Ritchie, and Elizabeth Little, and Erik Latremore of the New York State Department of Conservation.