Posted on 07/19/2005 3:43:49 PM PDT by neverdem
Third-graders fire scaled-down shotguns at moving clay targets.
Middle school students fire arrows from bows in a back yard.
And high school students unload handgun clips at boards.
Despite skepticism about a 4-H program that teaches youngsters how to use handguns, bows and rifles, the county’s shooting-sport program is continuing to grow four years after it was started.
“At the time it started, it was pretty controversial,” said Kyle Wheat, 16, a club member and Whiteland Community High School student. “A lot of people didn’t think it would happen. But look where we are now.”
The Johnson County 4-H Shooting Sports Club grew by nearly 200 percent to 55 members in the past year alone. The club had nine members when it started four years ago.
The club teaches firearm safety, how to properly handle firearms and how to shoot at moving and stationary targets.
Club co-director Jackie Brockman hopes to add more programs as the club continues to grow. For example, the club could teach wildlife survival training, such as recognizing edible and dangerous plants.
Directors also plan to get the club involved with competitions next year. Members could compete with shooting-sport groups from other counties and get awards as part of the Johnson County fair ceremonies, said Delford Dunn, club co-director.
Teaching kids how to use guns was controversial at first, Brockman said. But people need to understand that 4-H members are not learning how to hunt or use a gun as a weapon, he said.
“We’re not teaching them how to use weapons,” he said. “We’re teaching them a sport that uses firearms.”
The word weapon is not allowed in the club, Brockman said.
Club members start taking classes in February to learn gun safety and how to properly handle different kinds of firearms, such as shotguns, pistols and rifles.
In mid-March, club members start going to a shooting range in the Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area every other Saturday and practice archery at Brockman’s home every other Tuesday.
While at the shooting range, 4-H members fire at clay discs that spin through the air and stationary targets on the ground.
Members from third grade to high school are allowed to fire at the targets. Younger 4-H members have scaled-down firearms to use, Brockman said.
Wheat was one of the club’s original members, and his accuracy has improved with firearms and archery. He remembers when he was first learning, his aim left something to be desired. For example, one time he fired at a volley of six clay disks, but only hit about two or three.
“Jackie came over and said, ‘Here, let me show you how it’s done,’” Wheat said. “He missed every one.”
But Wheat followed Brockman’s instructions and was able to hit every clay disc during the next try.
Along with Brockman and Dunn, four other instructors teach kids about firearm use. Instructors are certified through the National Rifle Association and Purdue University.
jwhite@thejournalnet.com
The word weapon is not allowed in the club, Brockman said.
That should drive the Brady boobs nuts.
4H Shooting Sports is a very good program. I was an Archery Instructor for 14 years.
Standard NRA training.
Fine, I'll use the term Peacemaker.
Cool...BTTT
All praise goes to LORD JESUS!
Just stay away from the term Peace Keeper.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.