Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) introduced legislation to teach kids proper firearm safety and get them involved in the outdoors. The bill, S.F. 793, would allow schools to teach gun safety, provide hunting and angling training, and give kids an opportunity to get involved in trap shooting through schools’ education programs.

“This is an important bill for several reasons,” said Senator Eichorn. “First it teaches kids firearm safety. The odds of running into a gun at some point in your life in Minnesota are highly likely. This legislation would allow us to teach kids to understand and handle guns earlier in life. This is critical because it will force kids to learn proper safety and technique to avoid accidents while also allowing them to develop a respect for the degree of responsibility required to properly handle weapons.”

“The legislation also allows us to teach kids about the importance of hunting and fishing in the state. Kids will have an opportunity to learn directly from DNR officials as well as tribal experts who will teach kids to be good stewards along with fishing and hunting’s historic Minnesota roots.”

The legislation would appropriate pilot grants for the next two years to allow schools to establish their programs and would help cover the cost of curriculum development, training of school facility, equipment, and the cost of outdoor sporting licenses for kids.

“On top of safety and education that this legislation provides we get an opportunity to reward kids and increase participation in outdoor sports in Minnesota,” continue Senator Eichorn “This is critical as our state continues to see license sales plummet.”

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently reported that license sales were down about four percent compared to the previous year, and according to the agency’s Division of Fish and Wildlife license sales are at their lowest level since 1976. Minnesota isn’t the only state seeing this trend. License sales and participation rates have been falling nationally for years