Jul. 28, 2023

HARRISBURG – Lifelong hunter and fierce defender of sportsmen’s rights, Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks), chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, today condemned the Biden Administration’s withholding of funds for schools with hunting and archery programs.

Maloney authored and ushered into law Act 27 of 2020, permitting public schools in Pennsylvania to be used as venues for hunter education courses. Falling in love with Pennsylvania’s woods and waters at a young age, Maloney won a countywide school contest for hunting and trapping when he was 12. He understands early instruction on firearms and hunting results in safer behavior and respect for wildlife and forest habitat. If there is a community event or private group looking for classroom space to hold hunter safety courses, this is a free option to consider, or at least it was.

“The Biden Administration’s attack on our next generation of hunters and archers is a new low, and it is unclear how this move will affect the law I passed allowing public school property to be used for hunter safety courses,” Maloney said. “I remember when Joe Biden was campaigning, he stressed that while he wanted new anti-Second Amendment laws, he was not coming after sportsmen and sportswomen. We now know that was a lie.” 

Using non-elected federal officials to “interpret” new laws, Biden’s Department of Education determined that, under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) passed last year, school hunting and archery classes can’t receive federal funding. 

“Hunting in Pennsylvania with a bow or a firearm is practically a birthright,” Maloney said. “We have game animals - whitetail deer and grouse - as the state animal and bird. When opening day was on a Monday and you drove to work, the roads were so empty you’d have thought it was Sunday morning and everyone was in church. Now, we have a president openly attacking one of our most treasured outdoor pursuits.”

Maloney is an accomplished hunter with both a bow and a rifle. He has tallied both Pope & Young whitetail as well as Pennsylvania’s coveted Triple Trophy. Hunting and fishing are also important economic engines for Pennsylvania, bringing in some $1.5 billion each year. 


Representative David Maloney
130th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Charles Lardner
717.260.6443
clardner@pahousegop.com
RepMaloney.com


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