“We Are Shooters”: Two Pro-Gun, Right-wing Extremists Are Running for School Board in Lee’s Summit

Left: Dan Blake totes a rifle, Right: Bill Haley stands in front of ammunition while talking about schools. Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or opposition to any candidate As voters in Lee’s Summit head to the polls, we are confronted with a decision that will reverberate through classrooms and communities for years to come. Among the candidates for the LSR-7 School Board is Bill Haley, a self-proclaimed ‘shooter’ and the gun-toting owner of On Target LLC Ammunition—a man whose identity is deeply entwined with the right-wing extremism that many would consider directly at odds with the values of a progressive, inclusive education system. A now deleted photo from Dan Blake’s Facebook page Haley’s hand sifts over a barrel brimming with bullets (Photo from On Target Website) The disturbing images of Haley’s hand sifting over a barrel brimming with bullets — or, Blake proudly toting weapons of war — are in stark contrast to the diverse and open-minded community of Lee’s Summit. “We Are Shooters,” Haley’s business proclaims, revealing a chilling ethos for someone who seeks to influence the safety and discipline of our children’s learning spaces. Both candidates appear to...