UMASS refuses funding for kids gun program.

[Mike S]

From GOAL:

We are very disappointed to report that a great fully funded 4H program - teaching the safe use of firearms and all of the associated benefits, was not approved, because the university doesn't want to be associated with the positive use of firearms.

And the PR

GOAL BLASTS UMASS FOR REFUSING STATE 4-H
GUN SAFETY PROGRAM FOR KIDS

Full-Funded Program Ok’d by State Agency, Nixed by UMASS




BOSTON – The Gun Owners’ Action League of Massachusetts today blasted UMASS officials for stopping the launch of a statewide 4-H program for kids throughout the Commonwealth that would teach gun safety and promote youth shooting sports. Massachusetts is one of only two states that do not run a 4-H Youth Shooting Sports program.

“This move by UMASS makes absolutely no sense,” said Jim Wallace, Executive Director of GOAL. “The only reason to avoid implementing this program is because UMASS has a social bias against gun owning families and their children. Is that a justifiable reason to deprive kids of a great program – GOAL doesn’t think so! We have a fully funded program for youth ready to go. It will teach them responsibility, a very popular outdoor recreational sport, a competitive sport for which they can earn a college scholarship, and be able to socialize and meet youth from around the Commonwealth.”

Startup funding of $60,000 for the program was promised by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) for three consecutive years to support a 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator position and training at UMASS. The program is also backed by the UMASS 4-H Foundation that supports the fundraising and development efforts for the statewide program. In total the program would have supported over 1,000 youth at more than 50 outdoor locations across the state.

“It’s disturbing to think that our Massachusetts state college system would not support a highly successful program run by 48 other state colleges across our nation,” said Mandy Deveno, a Massachusetts 4H volunteer and a proponent of the Youth Shooting Sports Program. “It’s clear that UMass doesn’t want to be associated with the positive use of firearms.”

4-H is a 100-year old youth development program run by the UMASS Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment. It is part of a nationwide program connected to each state’s land-grant institution of higher education.

If anyone is an alumni it would be awesome to voice your displeasure over this decision.

Link to GOAL's post - http://blog.goal.org/the-program-is-successful-in-forty-eight-states-yet-umass-denied-it/

 

[hbennett]

Class of 88, and yet another reason when the Alumni Fund calls they get zilch.

 

[robjax]

is there a link somewhere?

 

[Dennis in MA]

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Like this is a surprise. There was a professor on campus that used campus computer facilities to run his for-profit subscription porn site. He claimed that it was excess capacity and that as a prof he was entitled. LOL Even my liberal neighbor that worked in Admin thought he was a moron. LOL

No surprise. Didn't they consider banning the ROTC program a few years ago, too????

That whole area is a hotbed of crazy. Life would be better if we could only feelz more.

 

[Mike S]

is there a link somewhere?

I added the link to GOAL's PR release

 

[robjax]

I added the link to GOAL's PR release

Thank you.

 

[hbennett]

Tonight would be a good night to write my Pro-2A senator and representative to find out why my State University, which wouldn't think twice about promoting safety and awareness education for children in other areas, is turning away a fully funded opportunity to do just that.

 

[Mike S]

If you feel so inclined to write to the ones in charge of rejecting this program here is their contact info:

Steven Goodwin
Dean of The College of Natural Sciences UMass Amherst
Phone: 413-545-2766
eMail: [email protected]

Jody Jellison,
Director, Center of Agriculture, Food and the Environment;
Director, Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Stations;
Director, UMass Extension; Assistant Vice Chancellor
Phone: 413-545-4800
eMail: [email protected]

 

[StevieP]

I have not researched this issue, so I apologize if this is common knowledge or readily available by search.

Why does anything about this rely on UMass? It's kids. It's 4-H. It's responsible use of guns. What possible reason would anyone WANT to involve a college system into that mix? Cannot the training be done any other way such that their disapproval is irrelevant?

 

[Penniepup1]

Now I know why I piss on my alumni donation envelopes.

 

[Mike S]

I have not researched this issue, so I apologize if this is common knowledge or readily available by search.

Why does anything about this rely on UMass? It's kids. It's 4-H. It's responsible use of guns. What possible reason would anyone WANT to involve a college system into that mix? Cannot the training be done any other way such that their disapproval is irrelevant?

4H is set up nationally that each state's university controls the 4H program. So, in MA it's controlled by UMass.

To be clear, the decision by UMass was not about funding, it was fully funded, it was simply "NO" (because guns)

 

[robjax]

They don't want to support programs like this. If they did and more young people learned the safe and responsible handling of firearms then there would be less accidental shootings and perhaps less children would die form these type of events.

Anti's love when children die. They can't wait for these events to happen. And even though Sandy Hook was a different circumstance it was an early Christmas present for the anti's. They use these tragedies to promote their anti-gun agenda. You saw Obama do it. "Oh, it's for the children." "With common sense gun control if we could just save one life it would be worth it." Well this program is for the children too. This program will teach safe and responsible gun handling to young people. It will save a life.....and the anti's wouldn't' be able to exploit a death.

See, the common sense solution is education. But the anti's don't want young people educated in the shooting sports. It's contrary to their gun ban agenda. They need children to die to push their side.

 

[Chevy 2 65]

Push back. Have the kids that want this start a fund raiser. DON'T back down!! **** these *******s

 

[firestorm]

Push back. Have the kids that want this start a fund raiser. DON'T back down!! **** these *******s

Apparently its not about money, they have the cash all set up. But if 4-H will only work with UMASS then it doesn't matter and they would have to find a private group to run it. If its a private group and they lose 4-H backing the state won't front the money. Catch 22.

 

[Chevy 2 65]

Apparently its not about money, they have the cash all set up. But if 4-H will only work with UMASS then it doesn't matter and they would have to find a private group to run it. If its a private group and they lose 4-H backing the state won't front the money. Catch 22.

Then protest.
On the other hand, Car/truck tires always seem to go flat this time of year with the cold weather.

 

[MAGA99]

wouldn't refusing to help educate people go against their mission statement? Pull all their funding.

 

[timbo]

Apparently its not about money, they have the cash all set up. But if 4-H will only work with UMASS then it doesn't matter and they would have to find a private group to run it. If its a private group and they lose 4-H backing the state won't front the money. Catch 22.

4H is run by the Cooperative Extension Service which is part of the University system in each state. The two cannot be separated unfortunately.

http://4-h.org/about/what-is-4-h/

 

[JayCaliber]

They don't want to support programs like this. If they did and more young people learned the safe and responsible handling of firearms then there would be less accidental shootings and perhaps less children would die form these type of events.

Anti's love when children die. They can't wait for these events to happen. And even though Sandy Hook was a different circumstance it was an early Christmas present for the anti's. They use these tragedies to promote their anti-gun agenda. You saw Obama do it. "Oh, it's for the children." "With common sense gun control if we could just save one life it would be worth it." Well this program is for the children too. This program will teach safe and responsible gun handling to young people. It will save a life.....and the anti's wouldn't' be able to exploit a death.

See, the common sense solution is education. But the anti's don't want young people educated in the shooting sports. It's contrary to their gun ban agenda. They need children to die to push their side.

PLEASE email them this post. There's no denying what you said here. I'm dying to see how they would respond to this (if they do).

 

[robjax]

PLEASE email them this post. There's no denying what you said here. I'm dying to see how they would respond to this (if they do).

ok. I'll send it out and i will post a reply if I get one. Probably should as this is pretty inflammatory....lol.

 

[robjax]

PLEASE email them this post. There's no denying what you said here. I'm dying to see how they would respond to this (if they do).

I just sent it. I tweaked it a bit though.....I didn't re-read or do much editing but I think it gets the point across...but here is what I sent.

To whom this may concern:


It is very unfortunate and sad that you're organization and the Massachusetts government do not want to support programs like this. If you did and more young people learned the safe and responsible handling of firearms then there would be less accidental shootings and perhaps less children would die form these type of events. Isn't that the main goal and why you anti's push your unconstitutional gun ban agenda?

You anti's love when children die. You cannot wait for these events to happen. And even though Sandy Hook was a different circumstance it was an early Christmas present for the anti's. You use these tragedies to promote your anti-gun agenda. You saw Obama do it. He exploited the distraught parents of those poor children on TV in front of America and the world to see. "Oh, it's for the children." "With common sense gun control if we could just save one life it would be worth it."


Well this program is for the children too. This program will teach safe and responsible gun handling to young people. It will save lives.....and then you would not be able to exploit a death. But you aren't interested in saving lives. You are interested in pushing your gun ban agenda with your anti rhetoric.

See, the "common sense" solution is education. But the you anti's don't want young people educated in the shooting sports. Again, it's contrary to your gun ban agenda. The very sad part is that you need children to die to push your side. And refusing this program proves this point beyond any doubt.



Thank you.


So I'm waiting for them to reply....

 

[Parker Duofold]

Class of 88, and yet another reason when the Alumni Fund calls they get zilch.

Class of '72. Same here -- **** those Alum Fund fundraisers.

 

[JayCaliber]

I just sent it. I tweaked it a bit though.....I didn't re-read or do much editing but I think it gets the point across...but here is what I sent.

To whom this may concern:


It is very unfortunate and sad that you're organization and the Massachusetts government do not want to support programs like this. If you did and more young people learned the safe and responsible handling of firearms then there would be less accidental shootings and perhaps less children would die form these type of events. Isn't that the main goal and why you anti's push your unconstitutional gun ban agenda?

You anti's love when children die. You cannot wait for these events to happen. And even though Sandy Hook was a different circumstance it was an early Christmas present for the anti's. You use these tragedies to promote your anti-gun agenda. You saw Obama do it. He exploited the distraught parents of those poor children on TV in front of America and the world to see. "Oh, it's for the children." "With common sense gun control if we could just save one life it would be worth it."


Well this program is for the children too. This program will teach safe and responsible gun handling to young people. It will save lives.....and then you would not be able to exploit a death. But you aren't interested in saving lives. You are interested in pushing your gun ban agenda with your anti rhetoric.

See, the "common sense" solution is education. But the you anti's don't want young people educated in the shooting sports. Again, it's contrary to your gun ban agenda. The very sad part is that you need children to die to push your side. And refusing this program proves this point beyond any doubt.



Thank you.

Nice! Looks good to me, bravo. Now let's see what happens...

 

[robjax]

Nice! Looks good to me, bravo. Now let's see what happens...

I hope it really pisses them off. I can't wait for the reply. they'll probably have me swatted...lol

 

[Mike S]

Seriously, this would be like a high school banning drivers ed because of drunk driving deaths.

 

[wahsben]

When it comes to Sex, Drugs and Alcohol liberals love to claim education is the key. When it comes to firearms they claim ignorance is the key which proves they have an agenda against firearms.

 

[Cjbmustang]

Umass Amherst alumni here. I'm curious how is educating a BAD thing?

 

[Dadstoys]

They already have a shooting club and are getting a trap and skeet group going , so WTF is this ?
Seems like asshattery afoot.

 

[tbk5]

What about one of the state colleges/community Colleges? They are state higher education institutions but not part of UMass

 

[bill o]

Maybe we're better off not relying on government to teach our kids gun safety and promote youth shooting sports.

 

[DitchDigger]

Maybe we're better off not relying on government to teach our kids gun safety and promote youth shooting sports.

This^