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Kids and Guns. The Reason for 4-H Shooting Sports. Jeff Goodwin, Co-Chair of the 4-H Shooting Sports National Committee Revised May 2013. The Purpose of 4-H Shooting Sports. Safety The firearm is only a vehicle to get us to positive youth development
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Kids and Guns The Reason for 4-H Shooting Sports Jeff Goodwin, Co-Chair of the 4-H Shooting Sports National CommitteeRevised May 2013
The Purpose of 4-H Shooting Sports • Safety • The firearm is only a vehicle to get us to positive youth development • We want to create champion kids—not necessarily champion marksmen • The development of life skills is the driving force behind the 4-H Shooting Sports program
Is it safe to put firearms in the hands of youth? • 4-H Shooting Sports reaches 300,000 youth each year • Operating since 1980 • More than 3 million member/years of 4-H member contact over 32 years • 1980 – 2012, More than 136 billion person hour contacts • Only five documented injuries • American Income Life insures shooting sports at the same rate as regular projects • Horse and ATV are insured at twice the rate • 4-H Shooting Sports injury rate compared to organized sports injuries:
Annual Youth Sports Injury Data Ages 5-14 • Data from American Academy of Pediatrics • 30 million youth participating in sports • 3.5 million youth get hurt per year • 775,000 are treated in a hospital
Annual Youth Sports Injury Data Ages 5-14 84 deaths per year** • Bicycling 275,000 • Basketball 200,000 • Football 194,000 • Baseball 116,000 • Soccer 75,000 • Trampoline 80,000 • 4-H Shooting Sports* less than 1 • Only 5 injuries reported to a state 4-H Office in 32 years • ** 2007 data 3-4 deaths year
Won’t we be enabling a Columbine situation to happen in your state with a 4-H shooting sports member The chances of this happening are extremely remote because of the life skills developed in the project AND • Significant adult in a young persons life other than a parent • Positive peer groups • Positive family involvement
Can’t you do positive youth development without a firearm? • Yes. But you will miss some kids that are interested in hunting and shooting • Make the most of family interest in hunting and shooting • 4-H Shooting Sports will enhance the gender ratios of members and volunteer leaders of your state 4-H program
The top five things that the 4-H Shooting Sports Program does well • Safety • Positive Youth Development • Life Skill Development • Teaching adults to teach kids • Teaching the first shot
Questions? Thank you for listening