Desertdog
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4-H shooting club back up, for now
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=4367606
The Arizona Board of Regents has agreed, at least temporarily, to allow a 4-H shooting program to continue around the state.
The Board, which oversees the University of Arizona-sponsored 4-H, decided to end the statewide Shooting Sports Program after an audit alerted board members to the existence of the longtime program.
The program was shut down for three days last month until outraged parents and participants persuaded the Board of Regents to bring it back.
The program teaches marksmanship and responsible firearm use of 22-caliber rifles, air pistols, air rifles, archery, shot guns and muzzle-loading arms. No live ammunition is used.
About 1,000 kids from 11 Arizona counties participated in the 4-H project during the 2004-05 year. Kids generally meet twice a month for practice and participate in county, state and national competitions.
Jon Wootten, a Queen Creek Town Council member and an active leader with Queen Creek 4-H, said he was shocked when he heard the program was cut.
"No matter your feelings about guns, the idea that we would want to remove an option for kids to compete and learn about these things is just mind-boggling to me."
The shooting program provides an additional avenue for kids to participate in once they grow out of or grow tired of animal competitions, he said.
Board of Regents spokeswoman Anne Barton said the board wasn't comfortable with the university being responsible for the guns. While the participants or clubs use and maintain their own guns, the UA, as the program sponsor, would be legally responsible if there were any accident or incident related to the guns.
The future of the 4-H program remains uncertain in Arizona.
The board has asked the university to look into whether the program can continue without the school bearing legal responsibility for the weapons. It's unclear what the alternatives might be.
"They thought it was important enough to at least give the opportunity to the university to bring back some more information," Barton said. "The ball is back in the University of Arizona's court."
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=4367606
The Arizona Board of Regents has agreed, at least temporarily, to allow a 4-H shooting program to continue around the state.
The Board, which oversees the University of Arizona-sponsored 4-H, decided to end the statewide Shooting Sports Program after an audit alerted board members to the existence of the longtime program.
The program was shut down for three days last month until outraged parents and participants persuaded the Board of Regents to bring it back.
The program teaches marksmanship and responsible firearm use of 22-caliber rifles, air pistols, air rifles, archery, shot guns and muzzle-loading arms. No live ammunition is used.
About 1,000 kids from 11 Arizona counties participated in the 4-H project during the 2004-05 year. Kids generally meet twice a month for practice and participate in county, state and national competitions.
Jon Wootten, a Queen Creek Town Council member and an active leader with Queen Creek 4-H, said he was shocked when he heard the program was cut.
"No matter your feelings about guns, the idea that we would want to remove an option for kids to compete and learn about these things is just mind-boggling to me."
The shooting program provides an additional avenue for kids to participate in once they grow out of or grow tired of animal competitions, he said.
Board of Regents spokeswoman Anne Barton said the board wasn't comfortable with the university being responsible for the guns. While the participants or clubs use and maintain their own guns, the UA, as the program sponsor, would be legally responsible if there were any accident or incident related to the guns.
The future of the 4-H program remains uncertain in Arizona.
The board has asked the university to look into whether the program can continue without the school bearing legal responsibility for the weapons. It's unclear what the alternatives might be.
"They thought it was important enough to at least give the opportunity to the university to bring back some more information," Barton said. "The ball is back in the University of Arizona's court."