TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The defense ministry said Thursday it is willing to make its east coast shooting ranges available for Indigenous hunting firearm safety training.
During a meeting with the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP), the ministry agreed to open its shooting ranges during non-operational periods for safety courses organized by the council, per Liberty Times. It proposed using its Taimali range for training and said it would assist the council with range operations.
Indigenous hunters are required by law to complete a firearm safety training course before they can apply for qualifications to own a firearm. However, the rollout of a training program has progressed slowly, raising concerns among many Indigenous communities that they may be unable to obtain legal certification promptly, according to Liberty Times.
DPP Legislator Chen Ying (陳瑩), who convened the meeting, said the plan is to hold 40 training sessions in the second half of the year.
Chen said that when the CIP launches the training program, it should strengthen cooperation with local hunter associations to design and implement the courses. She also called for prioritizing instructors recommended by local hunter groups who hold proper qualifications.
This way, the training can meet professional safety standards and preserve traditional hunting knowledge and cultural heritage, she said, per Liberty Times.
In eastern Taiwan, training is difficult due to inconvenient transportation, a lack of legal shooting ranges, and the time and travel costs borne by participants, according to Liberty Times.
