Okay - I admit to a misleading title. The Jan. 23, 1908 NYT reports:

RIFLES FOR SCHOOLBOYS

Congress May Aid Public Schools in Encouragment of Marksmanship

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It is probable that within two weeks a bill will be introduced in Congress with a view to the encouragement of marksmanship among the schoolboys throughout the country, and supplying them with rifles and ammunition. The bill wil have the indorsement of President Roosevelt, who is known to favor the project...

Shooting is a growing sport among the schoolboys of this State,and the lads have made marked progress in their work during the past two years...

It is clear that any attempt to pass a similar bill today would flame out in about two seconds. However, here is an interesting thought experiment: Would state sponsored marksmanship increase, reduce, or have no effect on school shootings in which students and teachers are the victims rather than paper targets?

[Update: A helpful reader points out that up until 1996 this program existed as the Department of Civilian Marksmanship of the U.S. Army. In 1996, the program was privatized and renamed the Civilian Marksmanship Program.]