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As Puerto Rico faces a rampant crime wave and a persistent problem of violence over the past 15 years, statistics indicate that deaths among minors are related to illegal firearms, the president of the Corporation for the Defense of the Puerto Rican Weapons License Owner (CODEPOLA by its acronym in Spanish) noted in a press release on Thursday in which he urged the island government to return to the basics: to improve educational and sports programs in schools, incorporating the sport of pneumatic shooting.
Given the major budget-reducing changes announced by the Donald Trump administration for the federal Department of Education, CODEPOLA President Ariel Torres Meléndez believes the time is right to develop a new educational model, without blaming firearms as the root cause of the problem.
In Puerto Rico, pneumatic shooting can be practiced at an early age, and individuals can request a license to carry firearms starting at the age of 21.
“When children are trained in the responsible use of weapons, they develop a great respect for them,” Torres Meléndez said in a press release. “They are not violent; instead, their personalities are friendly and polite. They understand the value of life and show respect for it. You just need to attend a youth competition to observe their behavior and interactions with peers and adults.”
As a proponent of law and order, Torres Meléndez emphasizes that Puerto Rico must guide its youth by promoting family values, respect, and improving the curriculum in subjects such as mathematics, science, English and technology. He also advocates for expanding the successful Specialized Community School in Sports at the Olympic Hostel (ECEDAO) in Salinas to other jurisdictions. ECEDAO is part of the Specialized Schools Unit of the island Department of Education and belongs to the Guayama School District within the Caguas Educational Region.
Torres Meléndez does not propose offering all 32 individual sports, nor does he envision a sports school in every municipality with residential facilities to develop high-performance athletes.
“What I am advocating for is that the Department of Education step outside its comfort zone to create an educational curriculum that offers academic excellence while promoting social and emotional skills,” the CODEPOLA president said. “This will help students integrate better into society and develop a more positive outlook on life.”
Torres Meléndez emphasized that ECEDAO has offered boxing, karate, and pneumatic shooting since 1989, among other disciplines.
“You never hear about behavioral or disciplinary issues among these young people trained in the rigor of sport,” he said. “On the contrary, they serve as examples for others. There are also courses available for students who do not reside in the Olympic Hostel. A similar model could be established in other municipalities …”
Torres Meléndez believes youth violence, along with other social problems in Puerto Rico, can be tackled through projects that educate young people in sports. Unfortunately, cuts to funding in education often target this very area.
“A single teacher for the entire school, without equipment or resources, and no facilities to develop our youth — that’s the reality we face,” he said.
