Florida 's Exclusive Outdoor Tactical Shooting Range

Kids 'n' Guns
National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee
Position Statements 

Why does 4-H have a shooting sports program? 

• 4-H uses shooting sports to teach youth development. Our programs are valuable for helping young people develop self-confidence, personal discipline, responsibility, teamwork, self esteem and sportsmanship.
  The discipline and self-control required for responsible firearms use carries over into many other aspects of life. 
• 4-H programs provide a positive experience for youth and promote the safe and ethical use of firearms. 
• It is our belief that firearms education reduces gun accidents. 
• Hunting and Shooting are rich American traditions. 4-H shooting sports programs help continue this tradition through involvement of the total family: youth, teens, parents, grandparents, etc. 
  
  

Don't shooting programs like those run by 4-H spread American's violent gun culture? 

• No! In fact, there is ample evidence that the opposite is true. The 4-H shooting sports program is designed to teach good self-concept and character, and to promote the highest standards of safety and ethical behavior.
  In addition, with 60-80 million gun owners in America, and the vast majority of them using guns safely and responsibly, America has a peaceful gun culture. 
• In a society that has chosen to possess firearms, all members, regardless of age should be provided adequate training to ensure safe, ethical and responsible interaction with firearms. 
  
  

Isn't easy access to firearms one reason for the violent behavior we've seen in Columbine and other school shootings? 

• No, access is not the issue. The safest location for a responsible gun owner to store a firearm is the secure environment of his or her home. 
• Firearms should however, be stored so that they are inaccessible to unauthorized users. 
  
  

Isn't hunting inhumane and unnecessary in modern life?
There are four primary values that arise from hunting: social, economic, ecological and historical. 

1. Societal. Hunting is a viable and healthy food source, promoting good sportsmanship and ethics. It is a valued part of our American heritage and is exceptionally good mental/physical exercise. Hunting is an ideal and common family activity.
2. Economic. Hunting minimizes the economic loss of human life and property damage that may result from road kills and crop depredation. Hunters spend millions of dollars each year to pursue the sport, and much of that money goes directly into wildlife management. 
3. Ecological. Hunting is a vital wildlife management tool . Hunters' dollars support wildlife habitat projects in every state in the USA. Hunting improves the health of natural wildlife populations and contributes to the conservation of our natural resources. A well-placed shot by a skilled marksman is a more humane cause of death than natural causes experienced by wildlife. 
4. Historical. Hunting was a necessary method of obtaining food and clothing by our forefathers. The act of hunting and utilizing game animals, in similar ways, helps us to appreciate the demands and sacrifices that our ancestors faced in the historical development of modern civilization.

 

Building Life Skills
Specific objectives for the program are to:

• teach decision making, teamwork, self-dicipline, self-confidence, and problem solving;
• promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior;
• encourage an appreciation and understanding of natural resources;
• develop leadership abilities;
• build character and willingness to assume citizenship responsiblity;
• furnish enjoyable, positive relationships with peers and adult instructors;
• strengthen families through participation in lifelong recreational activities;
• build awareness of related career opportunities.

Something for Everyone

The Shooting Sports curriculum uses the resources of the land-grant university and the time, talent, and dedication of Cooperative Extension agents and certified 4-H leaders, instructors, and trainers who instruct 4-H members in firearms safety and marksmanship. The shooting disciplines include archery, muzzle loading, pistol, rifle, shotgun and hunting. Each discipline is taught by a National or State Certified Instructor.

 

Healthy Competition

4-H members have opportunities to test their shooting, hunting, and sportsmanship skills in county, regional, state, and national competitions. In fact, they could ultimately set Olympic competition as their goal. There are 17 Olympic shooting sports events, which continue to draw the third-greatest number of countries.

 

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