There are many opinions and views on the topic of “kids and guns”. Hopefully this paper will help answer some of the important questions you may have. Also the facts, mission, and believe YSSA and its staff was founded on and, operates under.
Why does YSSA offer shooting sports programs?
YSSA uses our diversified 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. Discipline and self-control required for responsible firearms use carries over into many other aspects of life.
- YSSA provides a positive experience for youth and promote the safe and ethical use of firearms.
- Many published studies find that firearms education reduces gun accidents.
- Hunting and Shooting are rich American traditions. YSSA shooting sports programs help continue this tradition through involvement of the total family: youth, teens, parents, grandparents, etc.
Don't shooting programs like those offered by YSSA spread American's violent gun culture?
- No! In fact, there is ample evidence that the opposite is true. The programs offered by YSSA are 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Some interesting Facts
- Excise tax collections on items such as firearms and ammunition totaled more than $1.8 billion during 2008 – 2012. Approximately $350 million of these monies were apportioned to states for the purpose of hunter education and safety training. This, along with a strong network of nearly 70,000 dedicated hunter education instructors, help make hunting one of the safest activities in America. Sources: USFW & IHEA
- In the past two decades, all four regions of the United States have experienced dramatic declines in the number of unintentional firearm-related fatalities. This is a clear indication that firearms manufacturers’ safety efforts and regional and state educational programs are working successfully.