A PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA SPRING 2019
UPDATES
President's Column: Every Election Matters
Cover Story: Exciting Updates in 2019 for YHEC
Club Spotlight: Congratulations to all of our 2019 Gold Medal Clubs!
Second Amendment Teens:
1 2 4
‘What Can I Do To Help The NRA Fight For Me?’
6
The Modern Long-Range Hunting Experience
8
Women's Programs:
10
NRA Museums:
16
NRA-ILA Update:
20
NRA Women’s Wilderness Escape: An Adventure of a Lifetime
NRA Exhibit at Alcatraz East Crime Museum
NRA Collegiate Coalition: Freedom's Advocate on Campus
Community Outreach: Help Promote Safety Through Your Club Events With Eddie Eagle
22
Refuse To Be A Victim® Safety Tips
23
NRA Competitive Shooting: America's Rifle Challenge Competition Coming to Peacemaker
NRA Business Alliance News: Orchid Advisors; Multiple Handgun Sales Reporting
NRA School Shield: Security Training Class Eyes Nickerson High
NRA Range Services: Did You Know This?
24
Editor: Son Nguyen, National Manager Clubs & Associations and Range Services snguyen@nrahq.org
26
Design & Layout: Stephen Czarnik, Sr. Program Coord. Clubs & Associations sczarnik@nrahq.org
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(800) NRA-Club (672-2582) clubs@nrahq.org
Published quarterly by the National Rifle Association of America Recreational Programs & Ranges Division © Copyright 2019 National Rifle Association
NRA Clubs & Associations • 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 • (800) NRA-Club • clubs.nra.org
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
by by LtCol LtCol Oliver Oliver L. L. North North USMC USMC (Ret.) (Ret.) President, President, NRA NRA
Facing Real Danger, Police Officers Are American Heroes ON JULY ON JULY 3, 3, 2018, 2018, Tulsa, Tulsa,Okla., Okla.,police police Sergeant Sergeant Mike Mike Parsons Parsons put put on on his his
uniform uniform and and ballistic ballistic vest, vest,donned donned his his badge, badge,strapped strapped on on his his gun, gun,and and went went out out to to serve serve and and protect protect his his community. community.He He had had no no idea idea his his day day would would end end with with aa gunfi gunfight ght and and aa bullet bullet in in his his thigh. thigh. In In response response to to aa radio radio call call for for“backup, “backup,””Sgt. Sgt.Parsons Parsons arrived arrived on-scene on-scene at at aa gas gas station, station,where where two two of of his his fellow fellow offi officers cers were were questioning questioning aa suspect suspect who who refused refused to to exit exit aa vehicle vehicle with with improper improper license license tags. tags.ItIt could could have have been been aa fairly fairly normal normal traffi trafficc stop, stop,but but the the suspect suspect became became increasingly increasingly agitated agitated and and refused refused to to exit exit the the vehicle. vehicle. Sgt. Sgt.Parsons Parsons calmly calmly informed informed the the suspect suspect that that he he had had NRA NRA NEWS: NEWS: aa PepperBall PepperBall gun gun and and would would use use itit ifif necessary. necessary. Th Thee nraila.org nraila.org subject subject again again refused refused to to exit exit the the vehicle vehicle and and became became nranews.com nranews.com nra.org nra.org even even more more agitated. agitated. Having Having no no choice, choice,and and fearing fearing for for the the safety safety of of people people NRA NRA OFFICERS: OFFICERS: at at the the gas gas station, station,Sgt. Sgt.Parsons Parsons fifired red several several PepperBall PepperBall PRESIDENT PRESIDENT projectiles projectiles into into the the vehicle. vehicle.Th Thee suspect suspect suddenly suddenly produced produced Oliver OliverL.L.North North a a hidden hidden .-caliber .-caliber handgun handgun and and fi fi red red off off four four shots. shots. FIRST FIRSTVICE VICE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT One One of of the the rounds rounds struck struck Sgt. Sgt.Parsons Parsons in in the the right right thigh, thigh, Richard RichardChildress Childress dropping dropping him him to to ground ground in in the the “kill “kill zone. zone. ” ” Th Th ough ough SECOND SECONDVICE VICE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT Carolyn CarolynD.D.Meadows Meadows wounded, wounded,Sgt. Sgt.Parsons Parsons continued continued to to command command his his offi officers. cers. EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVEVICE VICE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT While While offi officers cers deployed deployed ballistic ballistic shields, shields,surrounded surrounded the the Wayne WayneLaPierre LaPierre vehicle, vehicle,and and gained gained control control of of the the suspect, suspect,others others dragged dragged SECRETARY SECRETARY Sgt. Sgt.Parsons Parsons to to safety safety out out of of the the line line of of fifire. re.Among Among them them was was John JohnFrazer Frazer his his wife, wife, a a fellow fellow Tulsa Tulsa police police offi offi cer. cer. TREASURER TREASURER Craig CraigSpray Spray Th Thee bullet bullet struck struck Sgt. Sgt.Parsons Parsons in in the the area area of of his his femoral femoral EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, artery, artery,aa potentially potentially fatal fatal injury. injury.But But the the round round was was defl deflected ected INSTITUTE INSTITUTE FOR FOR by by a a military military challenge challenge coin coin Sgt. Sgt. Parsons Parsons had had in in his his pocket, pocket, aa LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATIVEACTION ACTION Christopher ChristopherW. W.Cox Cox gift gift from from aa fellow fellow offi officer. cer. EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, To To learn learn more more about about this this dramatic dramatic event event and and the the heroism heroism GENERAL GENERAL OPERATIONS OPERATIONS of of Sgt. Sgt. Parsons Parsons and and his his fellow fellow offi offi cers, cers, go go to to .com .com and and Joseph JosephDe DeBergalis, Bergalis,Jr.Jr. check check out out my my“American “American Heroes” Heroes”series. series. Th Thisis extraordinary extraordinary and and inspiring inspiring story story should should remind remind us us all all of of the the very very real real dangers dangers faced faced by by our our police police offi officers cers every every single single day. day.And And it’s it’s why, why,at at our ourAnnual Annual Meetings Meetings & & Exhibits Exhibits in in Indianapolis, Indianapolis,Sgt. Sgt.Mike Mike Parsons Parsons will will be be honored honored as as the the Law Law Enforcement Enforcement Offi Officer cer of of the theYear. Year.All All members members congratulate congratulate and and thank thank Sgt. Sgt.Parsons Parsons for for his his courage courage and and service. service. For For most most of of my my life life itit has has been been my my privilege privilege to to keep keep company company with with heroes. heroes. ItIt takes takes aa very very special special sense sense of of duty duty and and courage courage to to put put one’s one’s own own life life in in harm’s harm’s way way for for the the sake sake of of others. others. For For years, years, members members have have recognized recognized and and honored honored the the service service of of America’s America’s law law enforcement enforcement offi officers. cers.Th They ey walk walk our our streets, streets,patrol patrol our our neighborhoods, neighborhoods, protect protect our our borders, borders,watch watch over over our our communities communities and and schools, schools,and and devote devote their their spare spare 10 10
AMERICA’S 11STST FREEDOM AMERICA’S FREEDOM MAY MAY 2019 2019
time time volunteering volunteering for for our our children children and and local local charities. charities. As As II write write this, this,the the Offi Officers cers Down Down Memorial Memorial Page Page lists lists “Line “Line of of Duty” Duty” deaths deaths so so far far in in . .According According to to the the National National Law Law Enforcement Enforcement Offi Officers cers Memorial Memorial Fund, Fund, federal, federal,state, state,local, local, tribal, tribal,and and territorial territorial offi officers cers died died in in the the line line of of duty duty in in . .Th That’s at’s aa percent percent increase increase over over the the line line of of duty duty deaths deaths in in . . Since Since the the was was founded founded in in , , two two of of our ourAssociation’s Association’s fifive ve“purposes “purposes and and objectives” objectives”pertain pertain directly directly to to America’s America’s law law enforcement enforcement community: community: “To “To promote promote public public safety, safety,law law and and order, order,and and the the national national defense;” defense;”and and “To “To train train members members of of law law enforcement enforcement agencies agencies … …in in marksmanship marksmanship and and in in the the safe safe handling handling and and effi efficient cient use use of of small small arms. arms.”” In In meeting meeting those those objectives, objectives,over over , , law-enforcement law-enforcement fifirearm rearm instructors instructors have have been been trained trained and and certifi certified ed by by the the . .We We off offer er tuition-free tuition-free seminars, seminars,legal legal and and training training updates, updates,and and aa free free law-enforcement law-enforcement newsletter newsletter to to , , agencies agencies and and offi officers. cers. Th Thee has has always always supported supported the the law-enforcement law-enforcement community community by by off offering ering specifi specificc benefi benefitsts to to active active duty duty and and retired retired law-enforcement law-enforcement offi officers, cers,and and their their families. families.For For over over two two decades, decades,the the has has worked worked with with trusted trusted partners partners to to provide provide unique unique products products and and services services that that meet meet the the needs needs of of law law enforcement. enforcement. In In , ,President President John John F.F.Kennedy Kennedy proclaimed proclaimed May May as as Peace Peace Offi Officers cers Memorial Memorial Day. Day.Congress Congress designated designated the the surrounding surrounding seven seven days days as as National National Police PoliceWeek. Week. Since Since then, then,tens tens of of thousands thousands of of law law offi officers cers from from around around the the world world have have gathered gathered in in our our nation’s nation’s capital capital on on Police PoliceWeek Week for for ceremonies ceremonies and and special special events events honoring honoring the the service service and and sacrifi sacrifice ce of of fallen fallen brothers brothers and and sisters, sisters, and and their their families. families. Th Thee next next time time you you see see aa uniformed uniformed police police offi officer, cer,aa trooper trooper or or aa deputy deputy sheriff sheriff,,just just say, say,“Th “Thank ank you, you,””and and let let him him or or her her know know you you appreciate appreciate all all they they do do for for us. us. Th They ey are areAmerican American heroes. heroes.
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 1
Exciting New Updates in 2019 for
NRA's Youth Hunter Education Challenge Program Building the next generation of hunters... NRA's Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) provides a fun environment for kids 18 years old and under to improve their hunting, marksmanship, and safety skills. YHEC helps build upon skills learned in basic hunter education courses and encourages safer, lifelong hunting habits through its simulated hunting situations, live fire exercises, educational, and responsibility events. From rifle, bow, and muzzleloader shooting at life-sized targets, to wildlife identification, map and compass orienteering and more, YHEC participants can get hands-on training in eight skill areas; giving them expertise in all methods of take and all types of game. New in 2019, NRA has opened up the subsidy program to both local-level programs ($10 per participant, up to a $1,500 maximum) and state-level programs ($15 per participant, up to a $2,000 maximum). This financial support program was formerly open to state-level events and was limited to $10 per participant with a $1,500 maximum. NRA has also updated the curriculum to allow participants take the Hunter Responsibility Exam online. Participants that elect to take the exam in advance now fulfill the Responsibility Event requirement; thus allowing more time during the event day for shooting events. The host can also use this as an opportunity to add additional responsibility or shooting events depending on availability of funds and volunteers for their program. Visit nra.yourlearningportal.com/Courses/NRA-YHEC-Hunter-Responsibility-Exam to get started! Host an event today by visiting yhec.nra.org/host-an-event. 2 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
A participant in a YHEC Event walks through a course with life size animal targets.
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 3
Congratulations to all the 2019 Gold Medal Clubs!!!
The NRA offers special recognition by awarding Gold Medal status to NRA affiliated organizations that promote and support the purposes, objectives, policies, and programs of the NRA. Reaching this elite level sets your club apart from others in the area. Each year numerous organizations apply to achieve the Gold Medal status; an honor presented to clubs that meet the following 5 specific criteria: • Be a 100% NRA Club - (Acheiving 100% NRA enrollment amongst club members helps make the NRA stronger by increasing its membership numbers and providing a larger representation of the shooting public. A good show of force helps make any argument more compelling.) • Have a club newsletter – A newsletter helps the club communicate to its members. Help keep club members "in the loop" of club activities and community issues as well as what is current in the world of NRA, Freedom and Second Amendment rights issues.
• Belong to the NRA State Association of your state – Joining NRA State Association shows support on the state level. Their mission is to promote and support the purpose and objectives of the NRA while providing programs and support to clubs on the local level.
• Have administered, or currently incorporate, an NRA Youth Program within the club’s agenda - Incorporating a youth program helps introduce firearms safety to younger shooters. Encouraging them to shoot at an early age will help keep the shooting sports going for future generations.
• Actively participate in NRA’s Membership Recruiting Program - participating in the NRA recruiting program helps bring new members in at a reduced price, helps generate income for your club, and helps to grow NRA numbers.
Airfield Shooting Club
East End Rod and Gun Club
Alaska Interior Marksmanship Committee
East Hook Sportsmen Assn,Inc
American 1800 Adventure Club
East Monongahela Sportsmen's Assn.
Anne Arundel Fish & Game Assn
Eastern Nebraska Gun Club, Inc.
Apple Valley Gun Club
Eaton Employee's Gun Club
Arlington Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc.
Elgin Rifle Club, Inc.
Arnold Rifle and Pistol Club
Emerald Empire Gun Club
Asheville Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc.
Escondido Fish & Game Assn
Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod & Gun Club
Estacada Rod & Gun Club
Branford Gun Club, Inc.
Factoryville Sportsman Club
Cairo Sportsman Club
Foosland Sportsmen Club
Castleton Fish & Game Protective Assn.
Fort Hill Rifle and Pistol Club
Central Florida Rifle & Pistol Club
Franklin Revolver & Rifle Assn, Inc.
Charlotte Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc.
Gopher Rifle & Revolver Club,Inc.
Coastal Georgia Gun Club
Humboldt Rifle And Pistol Club
Colorado West Gun Club & JR Div.
Jamestown Rifle Club,Inc.
Cumberland Riflemen
Kalicoontie Rod & Gun Club, Inc.
Delaware State Pistol Club, Inc.
Kern Shooting Sports, Inc.
Douglas Ridge Rifle Club & Jr Div.
Kiski Township Sportsmen Association
Downers Grove Sportsman's Club
Lafayette Gun Club Of Virginia, Inc.
4 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
Lima Sabres Shooting Assn
Santa Clara Valley Rifle Club
Lincoln Rifle Club,Inc.& Jr Division
Sebastopol Rifle & Pistol Club
Martin County Sportsmen's Association, Inc.
Smith Mountain Lake Pistol Shooting Association
Middle Tennessee Sportsmen's Association
Southern Chester Co. Sptmn's & Frmrs Asn
Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club
Southport Gun Club, Inc.
Nescopeck Hunting & Rifle Club, Inc.
Stone Bank Sportsmen's Club, Inc.
New Milford Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc.
Stoneycreek Shooting Center
No.Brookfield Sportsmen's Club Inc.
Streetsboro Sportsman Association
Norfolk County Rifle Range
The Great Lot Sportsman's Club, Inc.
Northern Dutchess Rod & Gun Club, Inc.
The Rochester Rifle Club, Inc.
Northwestern Gun Club
Tremont Sportsman's Club
Old Trails Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc
Tri-City Gun Club
Rappahannock Pistol & Rifle Club, Inc.
Tri-State Gun Club, Inc.
Richwood Gun & Game Club
Upper Savannah Shooters Assn
Ridge Rifle Association
Van Wert Co. Outdoorsmen Assn
Ridgway Rifle Club, Inc.
Waldwick Pistol and Rifle Club
Rochester Rod & Gun Club
Waynesburg Sportsmen Association
Roslyn Rifle & Revolver Club, Inc.
Wilkes Barre Pistol & Rifle Club
Sandia Gun Club Inc Sandusky County Sportmen's Club Clubs that meet the criteria above will be awarded a plaque along with an inscribed bar listing the year. Current Gold Medal clubs are encouraged to renew their status every year and will be given an inscribed bar with the renewal year. Clubs that are applying for a NRA Range Grant will be given preference if they achieve and maintain Gold Medal status. The annual deadline for the NRA Gold Medal Awards is February 15. To access the application online, please go to http://awards.nra.org/awards/gold-medal-clubs/ Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 5
Second Amendment Teens: ‘What Can I Do To Help The NRA Fight For Me?’
by Kristen Voss, Assistant Editor, Shooting Illustrated
The Second Amendment Teen Hunters Program is rethinking how we reach teenagers about the outdoors and the shooting sports. Do you remember your first hunt when you were younger? Or perhaps one of your fondest memories was picking up and shooting a rifle for the first time with your dad, another family member or close friend? These memories are ones we never forget— especially if they started us down the path of loving the shooting sports and hunting. But these days, young
Reprinted with permission from Shooting Sports USA
people have more choices than ever when it comes to extracurricular activities. With so much available at the touch of a fingertip their world is far vaster— but only through a screen. Fortunately, through the Second Amendment Teen Hunters Program, more teens can get outdoors, participate in the shooting sports and become NRA members.
Nurturing a love for the shooting sports
The program offers more opportunities for youth to be a part of the hunting and shooting sports community by providing a continued education in these interests. The program’s mission statement clearly outlines their purpose: “Instilling Second Amendment values in teens, while exposing them to higher levels of adventures and experiences in hunting and shooting sports using the conservative principle of: ‘What can I do to help the NRA fight for me?’” The Second Amendment Teen Hunters Program focuses on an apprentice-type program that mentors students over time.
6 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
In addition to becoming certified in the three shooting disciplines and as an RSO, both the youth and adults in the group must become NRA members at the time of joining the program, if they aren’t already. This provides not only the ability to become certified in the aforementioned disciplines but also gives insight on why the NRA works tirelessly to protect the Second Amendment. And because this is a multi-year program, continuing on until participants attain the age of 21, they are able to raise funds during their time in the group in order Heidi Rao (far left) developed the multi-year model for the program. to have the opportunity at becoming an NRA Life They tackle this mission through a few different Member. These teens walk away with not only the approaches. For starters, they target teenagers knowledge they have gained while being a group starting at 13 all the way until they are 21, rather than member—but also have something tangible they can younger kids who might not have any experience. be proud of for the rest of their lives. Instead of forcing younger kids to gain a liking for The program even outlines topics to focus on the outdoors, the focus is on older teens already during meetings, with safety always being the interested in the shooting sports—and therefore number one priority. Along with becoming certified more likely to carry that on into adulthood. in rifle, pistol and shotgun and as an RSO, other Furthermore, this program reaches out to groups topics include biology and identification of the that already deal with outdoor activities and firearms species being hunted. Range time focuses on the like the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of calibers or gauges used and shot distances specific to America, Royal Rangers etc. These groups already the species being hunted or upcoming competitions; target the kids that are hunting and shooting. For as well as management of wildlife habitats and this reason, the program allows young outdoor land management education. Another component enthusiasts to go a step further in those hobbies includes service projects, where teens work as a by becoming certified in the three main shooting group to assist landowners to “earn” the opportunity disciplines—rifle, pistol, and shotgun—as well as to hunt on private land. Additionally, attendance becoming an NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO). But at state and federal workshops is encouraged to to take it a notch up from that, the program requires improve marksmanship skills, which is especially those who are leading the group, i.e. a parent, helpful for ethical kills while hunting. troop leader, etc., to also be certified in the aboveProgram in action mentioned disciplines. This guarantees the utmost The Second Amendment Teen Hunters Youth safety for all involved as well as the best guidance for Hunting Model can be implemented in any existing the younger members. Safety is always the number club that meets the guidelines, and thanks to one goal when handling firearms. By teaching proper some dedicated individuals one group has already safety at a young age they will remember this for the rest of their lives. Continued on page 35
Second Amendment Teen Hunters gives youth the opportunity to earn different NRA Instructor credentials and certif ications, and earn money to become NRA Life Members.
Hunting Venture Crew .30-06 requires NRA membership at the time of joining. Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 7
The Modern Long-Range Hunting Experience by Cole McCulloch, NRA Director of Competitive Shooting Reprinted with permission from Shooting Sports USA
By the second week of West Virginia deer season, most hunters are inside, out of the bitter mountain cold, and the deer are hunkered down until about one hour either side of daylight. Both deer and hunters know the game is on, and the deer are praying for the worst possible weather which keeps the hunters inside —or at least most of them inside as rifle season comes to close. For me, this has been a long year competitive shooting-wise. In a weird way I was glad to put down the competition guns and pick up my long-range hunting gear. Like many things in my life, few things are mine alone and on this December day, my middle son Ryan informed me that he would “help me” hunt. Reports had come in that there were some nice bucks at Peacemaker National Training Center in Gerrardstown, WV that had managed to avoid the other hunters during the peak of regular deer season. We decided to hunt a picturesque spot that overlooked several sweeping fields with a variety of wooded ravines running through the ancient fields into a broken treeline of mature timbers and brushy areas. From this elevated point looking down about 200 feet we could see that the field of fire was approximately 70 degrees left to right with the actual distance about 900 yards from left to right. Likely firing distances were 250 yards to 500 yards with only peaks of areas through the trees visible beyond 500 yards. The fields were unusually grassy due to heavy rains that soaked the area in the weeks prior. The growing brush made it easy for deer to hide, and even harder to range or shoot. Upon arrival at the old ambush spot the grass was high, making prone shooting nearly impossible —something I didn’t anticipate. The temperature was 26 degrees and falling, it was slightly overcast and winds were 10-20 mph west/northwest and gusting —cold was the word. It’s important to understand the specific factors prior to 8 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
set-up: • Firing Position – The spot had a massive 24-inch log laying across the ground. The grass was tall, making prone shooting impossible. • Temperature – 26 degrees and falling. • Wind – 10 to 20 mph and gusting from west/northwest. • Elevation – Approximately 200 feet above the area we were hunting. • Youth Hunter – Inexperienced, but happy. Stunned by the cold and the activity of the deer. Sitting on stools helped us to see above the grass and blend into the bluff. I then pulled out the gear: • Gunwerks 7LRM. • 180-grain Berger Hunting VLD cartridge. • Nightforce 5-22x50 mm riflescope with MOA reticle. • Altlas Bipod with Hawk Talon feet. • Silencerco Harvester suppressor. Additionally, I deployed several Armageddon Gear field bags for rear or front support. I also brought a Zeiss Gavia spotting scope and the incredible Zeiss 10-42 Victory Range Finding binoculars. I supplied Ryan with a set of quality binoculars, too, so he could help glass and look for deer. Finally, I used a basic wind meter to help better understand the gusting conditions. Further, my mind went back to the years of teaching long-range shooting and long-range hunting to students at Peacemaker. I focused on the task at hand —remembered that in long-range hunting, you have to prepare for the upcoming situations that occur in just minutes or even seconds. Here’s my checklist: • Wind Bracket – What is the wind bracket from 300-500 yards for 10 and 20 mph. This is an old sniper technique that is extremely valuable in competition and in hunting when used properly. • Range Card – A good long-range hunter is able to draw on
paper or in his mind make a range card, out, this position worked very well and which has key markers and associates I developed this position in the sport the markers with real distances. of PRS (Precision Rifle Series) style of • Turret – Did I set my turret to a shooting. proper median distance? The best thing • Optic – Did I check for parallax issues, in long-range hunting is to ensure you did I set my variable scope to 5x power can certainly and quickly set the proper to ensure I acquire targets quickly with a drop compensation on the scope. My wide field of view? standard is to ALWAYS make my shot • Youth Hunter – Did I ensure that he within 1 MOA of my aiming point on was in a safe position so that when things the animal. If I am not certain of this happen quickly I can move fast and be standard at the time of firing, I will pass certain that he was or would not be in a on the shot. bad spot? • Position – In this situation, I can’t By this time it was now 3:30 p.m. and shoot prone (because of the grass). So I Ryan had not looked up yet from his need to think, how can I get on target/s binoculars. I reminded Ryan that the quickly and what position will or can I binoculars were an aid and only and aid, shoot from with confidence of making no matter how cool they were. You need the shot within my 1 MOA standard to use your eyes and scan the fields and The Zeiss 10-42 Victory in these high wind conditions? In this treelines for any form of movement or Range Finding binoculars. case I’m going to kneel on both knees something that looks like a deer. When and place the bipod as high as I can on the log and use the hawk you see movement or something you think is a deer, put the talons to spear into the log for an aggressive amount of pressure binoculars on it fast and find out if it’s a deer. on the rifle to increase stability. Double kneeling also allows me Suddenly, there was action in the field. As if a starter pistol to quickly scan the field and acquire the target(s). As it turned had signaled the field to come alive out of nowhere?
Ryan began to say, there’s one, there’s another one, why is that one running, there’s a buck and on and on with all the excitement you would expect from such a momentous occasion. We decided that that if we saw a decent buck, we’d get it processed. Ryan also had yet to shoot a deer, or even see one shot, so I agreed today would be the day if the opportunity presented itself. I raced with the binocular rangefinder, sorting through several deer at about 400 yards in -running away with a fast gallop. I thought, well the wind must have given us up, but then I thought a buck may be chasing them and there it was —a nice buck giving chase. While I only glimpsed the buck chase scene for a moment I explained to Ryan that we may see them again and to watch for them closely to return. By now, light was fading fast and the activity of deer was increasing, right on schedule. I even think the wind died down to about 18 mph. Then in an almost instant, our buck and three does came running directly toward us at about 500 yards, now 450, now 400, now 350. At this point the binoculars were on the log and I was
behind the rifle and in position. Ryan, well he was explaining to me all of this in a fevered pace. The buck was not a monster but was clearly at least a nice WV six- or eight-point, big healthy and had one thing on his mind —and it wasn’t us. Now I had made the decision to drop him if the opportunity was right and if he would just stop moving. Of course he did not, at least until later. He was chasing and pushing that doe all over the place. The ranges were changing too quickly, and whenever he did stop he was behind a limb, or brush or another deer or something. I thought, stick with it, think of the range, set range on turret at 425, knowing that anything from 450 to 400 is within my 1 MOA standard on drop compensation which allowed me to dope the wind by feel and experience, no time for a Kestrel to save me now. The buck was still in a difficult spot, but he was getting close to a spot that might work. The old shooting maxim “Stability, Sights, Trigger” which really sums up shooting
Continued on page 35
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 9
AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
Jaene Graye f iring the Remington 597 semi-automatic rifle. By Kristen Voss, Assistant Editor, Shooting Illustrated
Reprinted with permission from American Rifleman
There is a bit of irony in the fact that Mary Garrett and her daughter, Monti Pavatea, who call northern Montana home—an area known for its abundance of wild game, fish and outdoor spaces—gained their first real experience with firearms and the outdoors at the 2018 NRA Women’s Wilderness Escape (WWE) in Raton, N.M. The weeklong adventure came recommended by Garrett’s husband, an NRA member who read about the event and decided it would be an ideal way for the women in his life to become acquainted with firearms. Garrett, almost 70, said she was initially reluctant to attend the weeklong event, as she did not have prior experience with firearms. That changed as the week went on, and each day she gained more confidence with handling and firing each firearm. After participating in the three shooting disciplines—firing and qualifying on a .22 cal. pistol, firing a .22 cal. rifle and 5.7x28 mm rifle and shooting a 20-ga. shotgun—Garrett said she definitely favorited the rifles, specifically the FN PS90, a semi-automatic futuristic bullpup-designed rifle chambered in 5.7x28 mm. “I felt so enlightened that it gave me a different feeling,” she said, later equating the entire event to a retreat. Until that point Garret said she’d been protected by ranch hands and her husband, but now realizes that she needs to be prepared for whatever might happen by taking responsibility for her own safety. Her daughter, Monti Pavatea, said she too, was hesitant to attend the event, as she did not have prior firearms experience either. Like her mother, Pavatea gained confidence with handling and firing each firearm as the week went by. At the end of the week she expressed a liking for the pistols, after shooting the S&W M&P 22 and attending the Concealed Carry Show and Tell, and said she’d already researched Montana’s concealed-carry requirements for an eventual CCW permit. As beginner shooters who made great progress throughout the week, these two ladies seemed to inspire the other women. Pavatea remarked on the camaraderie among the women, which was probably not unlike those of her ancestors, the Blackfeet, who were reliant on each other for day-to-day tasks like fishing or hunting. And while this mother and daughter were among the least experienced with firearms and the outdoors, others were more advanced. Carly Earhart, 22, was one of the younger attendees who decided to give the event a shot. Originally looking for a firearms instruction course near her home, she came across the WWE on the NRA website and decided to take the plunge, wanting to take time for herself as well as do something that would get her out of her element. And although Earhart had been exposed to firearms while serving in the Army, she said the most challenging 10 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
discipline for her was shotgun, having the least experience with that discipline. Earhart said she would like to see a level two version of the Women’s Wilderness Escape, as she was more experienced than the other women, but said she would be able to use the experience to aid her in her job as an outdoor retail store manager. “It gives you something to strike up a conversation with someone, especially women who come into the store looking for a firearm,” she said. The sentiments relayed by Earhart, Garrett and Pavatea were echoed by most of the other women in attendance, each woman walking away with a bit more confidence and knowledge in her abilities with firearms. One participant, Jaene Graye, was at WWE for a second time, after a successful first event in 2016. Similar to Garrett’s story, Graye’s husband found an advertisement in American Rifleman and suggested she attend. “I had to do it again because it was so much fun the first time,” she said. She also said how the instruction sunk in better this time around and she would definitely attend again. Many of the instructors too have returned for consecutive years all on a voluntary basis—they do it because they are passionate about the shooting sports and have a servant’s heart. One instructor, Jaime Adams, had been a participant in 2010, after coming across an ad much like the others. With no prior firearms experience but excited by the “wilderness” aspect to the event, she decided to give it a try. For Adams the event was life changing and three years after attending her first event she became an NRA certified instructor—now teaching the same event that changed her life. From participants to instructors, to the individuals who plan the event, there is much thought and planning that goes into hosting the various Women’s Wilderness Escapes. Kara Richards, NRA’s lead program specialist for the WWE, explained that the program, in existence since 2008, hosted its first “escape” at the NRA Whittington Center, and has now expanded to other events across the United States throughout the year, including a weekend of sporting clays at Seven Springs Resort in Pa., as well as some others such as 2017’s Wyoming antelope hunt. Richards said that next year there will be four events for women to choose from and they are already listed on the WWE website, just in time for the holidays. (Hint, hint.) During the classroom portion of the Basics of Pistol Shooting, the women learned how to properly hold a handgun from a supported position. Monti Pavatea and Kristen Voss receiving certificates for completing the Basics of Shotgun Shooting. One of the many beautiful scenes nature provided us with during the week. The NRA Whittington Center Women’s Wilderness Escape is an annual event that offers an opportunity for women of all ages and backgrounds to learn the basics of firearms in a comfortable and supportive environment with
Instructor Jaime Adams with participant Carly Earhart shooting the S&W M&P 22 pistol.
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 11
Carly Earhart (second from the left) shooting the Beretta 391 shotgun on the f ive-stand shotgun course.
other like-minded women. The weeklong adventure gives attendees a taste of the various shooting disciplines, with an entire day dedicated to one discipline and the ability to receive a certificate in each, as well as the opportunity to shoot a specific firearm at distances they might not have the chance to do anywhere else, all while enjoying the beauty of nature that surrounds you. The days are filled with learning split between classroom and range time, and the nights are filled with activities including the Refuse to be Victim class, which give women the feeling of empowerment and the ability to walk away with more confidence and pride. I was moved by the stories these women shared, from ones of cancer to domestic abuse—and it was inspiring to see them take charge of their personal safety. Designed as an introduction into firearms, the 24 women who attended the event during the first week of October were able to participate in activities including the basics of pistol shooting course and qualifying with an S&W M&P 22 pistol, shooting the Remington 597 semi-automatic rifle and FN PS90 rifle, shooting the Beretta 391 shotgun and learning the basics of five-stand shotgun shooting, having the opportunity to shoot at the famous White Buffalo at 1,123 yards with the FNH Model 70 SPR long-range rifle chambered in .308 Win., shooting Silhouette Targets at 50 yards with Henry lever-action rifles, and an introduction into 3-gun which is a timed competition where you shoot pistol, rifle (we shot the S&W M&P 15-22) and shotgun. We even learned and had the opportunity to takedown and clean all of the firearms we shot each day. For the duration of the event, we were split into groups of eight for each day’s activities, which just so happened to be the same women with whom we shared a cabin. Lodging for the week was at the Whittington Center's Founder’s Cabins, with each of us assigned a roommate. Though it was an unfamiliar arrangement for some, it was nice to have quality time every evening with cabin mates and talk about the day’s events. The end of the week was capped with a wine social on Friday night in order for us to get to know the women in the other groups. Cheryl Carroll running through the three stages of 3-gun starting with the shotgun stage. While each WWE is unique, the Whittington Center WWE allows women to confidently step outside their comfort zone into a comfortable community where they are able to share their pasts and take the next step into their futures in a supportive and confident-building environment. I was honored to have shared those moments with the women who attended, and it is my hope that many more women choose to take that step and go on an adventure of her lifetime. 12 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
Experience Experience The The Ultimate Ultimate Outdoor Outdoor Adventure Adventure
Leupold Academy Scoped Rifle Training with Kristy Titus! Rifle Hunting ·•·•· NEW EVENT ·•·•· Rifle Hunting Class with June 3-7, 2019 • $1,200 Class with Jessie Jessie Duff-Harrison Weekend of Sporting Clays at Seven Springs Resort Duff-Harrison Whittington Seven Whittington Seven Springs Springs June 2124, 2019 • $995 Jun. 7–10, 2018 • $2,500 Center Resort Jun. 7–10, 2018 • $2,500 Resort MPX School at Sig Sauer AcademyCenter Oct. 1–6, 2018 • $1,750 Jun. 1–4, 2018 • $995 September 14-15, 2019 • $875 Oct. 1–6, 2018 • $1,750 Jun. 1–4, 2018 • $995 Week of Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol at NRA Whittington Center October 7-12, 2019 • $1,600
Experience Experience The The Ultimate Ultimate Outdoor Outdoor Adventure Adventure
OW NO WM ANT TO KKN MO ORREE?? W WANT TO
CONTACT CONTACT US US call (800) 672-7435, call (800) 672-7435, option option 55 or or email email wwe@nrahq.org wwe@nrahq.org || wwe.nra.org wwe.nra.org
A group of eight women after they each Leupold Academy Scoped Rifle Training with Kristy Titus successfully shot the White Buffalo. Rifle Hunting ·•·•· NEW EVENT ·•·•· Rifle Hunting Class with June 3-7, 2019Jessie • $1,200 Class with Jessie Duff-Harrison Weekend of Sporting Clays at Seven Springs Resort Duff-Harrison Whittington Seven Springs Whittington Seven Springs June 2124, 2019 • $995 Jun. 7–10, 2018 • $2,500 Center Resort Jun. 7–10, 2018 • $2,500 Resort MPX School at Sig Sauer AcademyCenter Oct. 1–6, 2018 • $1,7 Jun. 1–4, 2018 • $995 September 14-15, 2019 • $875 Oct. 1–6, 2018 • $1,7 Jun. 1–4, 2018 • $995 Week of Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol at NRA Whittington Cen October 7-12, 2019 • $1,600
O W KKN O M T O T RREE? N O N W A O M T O W T N A ? W
CONTACT CONTACT US US call call (800) (800) 672-7435, 672-7435, option option 55 or email wwe@nrahq.org | wwe.nra.org
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 13
Wayne LaPierre
NRA Executive Vice President “The NRA is ready for another great meeting in Indianapolis, Americans coming together to uphold the cause of freedom. Join me in making this the biggest and best year in NRA history!”
2019 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS
Chris W. Cox
NRA-ILA Executive Director “Haters of guns and freedom are as angry and as determined as they’ve ever been to destroy all that we stand for. To prevail, we need to have the bigger numbers and the fiercer dedication. Let’s show them what we’ve got!”
NRA Country Presents
Alan Jackson
APRIL 25-28, 2019 INDIANA CONVENTION CENTER INDIANAPOLIS, IN
With Special Guest William Michael Morgan
15 ACR GUNS& 14 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
To book your hotel and lock in the best rates, call toll-free (877) 776-7614.
We’re coming back to Indy
in 2019 with 15 acres of guns and gear, exclusive seminars and luncheons, appearances from top national political leaders and musical superstars—and the chance to rub shoulders with tens of thousands of other Second Amendment patriots. Exhibit hall open April 26-28. F E A T U R I N G
NRA-ILA LEADERSHIP FORUM Sponsored by
NRA COUNTRY PRESENTS ALAN JACKSON
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW For more information, call toll-free (877) 672-7632
or visit www.nraam.org.
T H E S E
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM LUNCHEON & AUCTION
C A N ’ T - M I S S
NRA-ILA DINNER & AUCTION
Sponsored by
ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
E V E N T S :
NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST Sponsored by
NATIONAL NRA FOUNDATION BBQ & AUCTION Sponsored by
RES OF &GEAR Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 15
NRA EXHIBIT
AT ALCATRAZ EAST
CRIME MUSEUM
The NRA Museum recently installed a new exhibit on the Second Amendment and firearms evolution at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The history of the American right to keep and bear arms and government firearm regulation is traced from a ban on wheel-lock firearms in Italy in 1523 through the adoption of the Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution in 1791; touching on early attempts to restrict gun ownership, and continuing to recent court cases affirming the individual right such as D.C. vs. Heller (2008), McDonald vs. Chicago (2010), and Caetano vs. Massachusetts (2016). 16 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
Notable quotations illustrate thinking on firearms and the right to self-defense include: • “The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave.” – James Burgh, 1774. • "A man's rights rest in three boxes. The ballot box, jury box and the cartridge box.” – Frederick Douglass, 1867. • “Even in the best and most peacefully civilized countries many occasions arise when a woman versed in the knowledge and use of firearms may find that information and skill of great importance... I have been teaching women to shoot for many years…. I have wanted them to be capable of protecting their homes.” – Annie Oakley, 1919.
• “After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a society where the only people allowed guns are the police and the military.” – Author William S. Burroughs, 1992. A selection of guns shows major developments in firearms history from early muzzleloaders through modern polymer semi-autos. One case illustrates the development of semi-auto rifles that have been popular in the civilian market for over a century, comparing a Winchester from the first decade of the 20th century to a modern AR-15:
This exhibit will be on display through this Fall, when it will be replaced by another NRA Museums exhibit. There are also three permanent NRA Museums open every day of the week, with free admission – the NRA National Firearms Museum at NRA HQ in Fairfax VA, the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield MO, and the Frank Brownell Museum of the Southwest at NRA Whittington Center in Raton NM. Jim Supica, Director, NRA Museums
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 17
Made In America Or Not Made At All
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NRA-ILA Update
UPDATE
NRA Collegiate Coalition: Freedom’s Advocate on Campus
If you were simply to listen to the news today, one would assume that students at colleges across the United States do not have the appetite for a pro-gun presence on campus. Certainly, there are a number of schools where that may be the case. But contrary to what you may be led to believe, students are requesting an outlet on college campuses to express their support for gun rights and your NRA is there to answer the call. The NRA has actually had a presence on college campuses for more than a decade via our NRA University (NRA U) program. This free program brings an NRA staff person to campus to discuss the history of the NRA and the Second Amendment, NRA programs, and current issues in the gun rights/control debate. To date, NRA-ILA Grassroots staff has presented hundreds of 20 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
NRA University programs and it continues to be one of our most oft-requested programs. While NRA University remains extremely popular, there was a demand for a more lasting presence on campus. After much thought and preparation, the NRA Collegiate Coalition (NRA CC) was created. The NRA CC is a chapter-based program that allows students to formalize official groups on campus to promote the Second Amendment and lawful gun usage throughout the school year, not just when NRA staff visits campus. Though the NRA Collegiate Coalition program is rather new, there are a number of chapters up and running today, with a few others in the process of getting established. To date, the reviews for the NRA Collegiate Coalition could not be better. Kailey Nieman,
founder of the NRA Collegiate Coalition at ETSU, provided her insight on the success of the NRA CC on her campus: “The NRA was the only organization on my campus with the sole purpose of defending the Second Amendment,” Nieman shares. “We advocated for personal responsibility and our constitutional rights.” And she is not alone in this sentiment. The NRA Campus Coordinator at UGA, Jett Lang, agrees stating, “The NRA CC program provides an outlet for college students to not only learn about the Second Amendment and the necessity of it, but to take action in its protection and promote safe use of firearms.” Via NRA Collegiate Coalitions, students can invite gun rights advocates as guest speakers, attend events and gun shows, set up an outreach table on campus, assist
with our grassroots activities and programs on and off campus, or even head to a local range. Each chapter is a bit different in their focus, but their goal of increasing educational awareness about the Second Amendment is the same. If you are a college student and would like to receive additional information about our on-campus programs please visit: https://www.nraila.org/campaigns/ grassroots/nra-on-campus/. With the expansion of these programs it is our hope to provide a more solid understanding of Second Amendment-related issues to college students, and help identify, train, and activate the next generation of gun rights advocates.
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 21
Help Promote Safety Through Your Club Events With Eddie Eagle!
Eddie Eagle handouts are a great way to promote firearm safety whether at club member meetings, public events like county fairs that your club has a presence at, or at educational seminars. This spring and summer, Eddie Eagle is offering free safety handouts to clubs and their events. Eddie Eagle brochures, stickers, student activity books, and our Parent’s Guide To Gun Safety are all available in 2019 for your community. Simply email eddie@nrahq.org and tell us about your event and you can receive FREE materials for your club! The Eddie Eagle GunSafe® program seeks to help families navigate a topic paramount to our children’s safety. Eddie and his Wing Team are on a mission to help you teach Pre-K through 4th graders what to do if they ever come across a gun. Volunteers for the Eddie Eagle program come from diverse backgrounds, but they share a commitment to keeping children safe. For over 30 years, our important child safety advocates have helped bring safety to millions of children in their communities. Help bring Eddie Eagle to your community!
22 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
Refuse To Be A Victim Safety Tips Refuse To Be A Victim, NRA’s award-winning personal safety and crime prevention program, has been dedicated to helping people avoid becoming victims of crime since 1993. Seminars are held every day across the country, giving people tips and strategies that they can implement into their everyday lives to help them become less vulnerable. Whether it be personal safety, cyber security, home security, or travel safety, Refuse To Be A Victim provides a comprehensive look at how to create layers of security in your life to lessen your chances of victimization. Look online at rtbav.nra.org to find a seminar near you and discover all Refuse To Be A Victim has to offer! Recently, the program just launched brand new Student Workbooks which contain all the latest information in cyber security and new technologies that can help keep your home safe and secure. Below is new information from our section on home security.
SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY
Keeping your home safe has become more hands on in recent years due to the rise of smart home technology. While smart vacuums and smart thermostats can help keep your home comfortable, there are many smart products to help keep your home safe. Cameras, lighting, and locks have all evolved to provide the user with the utmost control over their home right from their cell phone.
CAMERA SYSTEMS
Smart camera systems are the most diverse of the smart home products, and allow you to monitor live footage through your cell phone or website. While selecting which system is the right one for your home, there are a few things to consider. Camera picture quality varies from standard definition to full 1080p resolution. If you have a large property that you want to capture, consider a higher definition camera to ensure quality images when the picture is zoomed in. When those images are captured it is important to know where the images are stored. Many smart camera systems offer either local storage or cloud storage. Local storage means that the recordings are saved in a storage device located within your home and are usually accessible by connecting that storage device to a monitor. Cloud storage means that the videos are stored by the company and are accessible with internet access. Many companies that offer cloud storage also charge a monthly fee to store your data, so be sure to research storage options to avoid unwanted fees. Cameras can be powered by battery or hard wire, with some accepting both forms. Battery powered cameras are convenient if you want to mount them away from a power source and are in an area that is easy to access when the time comes to replace the batteries. Hard wire options may require more installation savvy, but can be more reliable and less maintenance than battery options. The downside of many smart home cameras are that they are not monitored by a security company. This means that it is up to you to contact your local law enforcement should you observe illicit activity on your cameras. Some camera systems not only allow you to see what’s going on, but also listen and communicate. That means you could see someone at your door, ask them what they want, and listen to their response through your cell phone while at home or anywhere else. This can eliminate ever coming to the door to speak with unknown visitors or keep potential burglars form knowing if your home is unoccupied. Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 23
Presented By
Competition Coming To Peacemaker by John Parker, Shooting Sports USA Managing Editor
There will be three total NRA America's Rifle Challenge (ARC) matches at Peacemaker National Training Center in Gerrardstown, WV, on Saturday, April 27. ARC is a fun way to introduce action rifle shooting to newcomers. ARC is action rifle shooting, comprising a diverse mix of standing, kneeling, sitting and prone shooting positions with targets at multiple distances. The purpose of this program is to teach you how to maximize training with equipment you already have, but might not know much about. (If you are unfamiliar with the NRA ARC program, here is a summary.) Since ARC is a recreational shooting program, the program allows rifle owners to compete with friends on self-timed, pre-designed courses. Here's the best part: what you need (at a minimum) to compete is stuff you probably already have at your house. You need a safe and functional semi-automatic, detachable magazine rifle (.308 Win. or below), eye and ear protection, empty chamber indicator flag, extra mags and mag pouches, rifle sling and about 250 rounds of ammo (350 rounds is the recommendation for Level 2 matches). And yes, suppressors are welcome. There are multiple levels of ARC competition to match with a shooter's level of skill. Level 1 ARC matches are designed for entry-level shooters, with targets out to 100 yards or less. The five stages will test time and accuracy. Some stages will place value on speed and accuracy to differing degrees. Level 2 ARC matches are for those seeking something that is a bit more advanced. Shooters will faces stages designed to test accuracy, position shooting skills, speed, stage planning and tactics; as well as close-quarters exercises. Level 2 is essentially an evaluation of the full range of skills with AR-style platforms and/or semiautomatic centerfire rifles. One of the goals of the program is to help prospective competitive shooters discover their talents. ARC is divided into three divisions: Stock—Rifle may have one iron or red dot/holographic sight (non-magnified) and back-up iron sights (if desired). Limited—Rifle may have one fixed or variable magnification optic (8 power or below) and back-up iron sights (if desired). A rifle with a red dot/holographic sight 24 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
Reprinted with permission from Shooting Sports USA
and a magnifier will be placed in Limited. Open—Rifle may have one fixed or vairable magnification optic of no greater than 18 power, and a back-up iron sight or a red dot/holographic sight installed. Something that all shooters should note is that bipods are allowed, but must be folded and stowed unless bipods are specifically authorized for a stage. In the case you do use a bipod, it has to stay on your rifle for the entirety of the match. There will be one Level 1 basic match and two Level 2 matches conducted at the ARC event at PNTC in April, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The Level 2 matches will feature courses of fire designed by Marines and the NRA Competitive Shooting Division. Below is the complete schedule for the PNTC America's Rifle Challenge event on Saturday, April 27.
Level 1 Basic ARC Match. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Level 2 Advanced ARC Match. 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Level 2 Advanced ARC Match. 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Check-in begins promptly at 7:00 a.m. for morning matches, with the NRA Safety Brief following at 7:45 a.m. For the afternoon match, check-in begins at 12:00 p.m., and the NRA Safety Brief starts at 12:45 p.m. Safety Brief attendance is mandatory. Any semi-automatic, detachable magazine-fed rifle can be used for ARC, with or without a scope or optics. Registration fees are only $45 per match, which is convenient since you can select the matches you want to participate in "à la carte." PNTC members can save $5 on registration fees. Interested? You can register now at this link: peacemakernational.com/arc. There are NRA ARC events being held in various locations around the nation. Additionally, there will be more ARC matches conducted at PNTC this summer on Saturday, August 3. Be on the lookout for news about this program as the year progresses via SSUSA.org and the digital magazine. Learn more about the NRA America's Rifle Challenge program at arc.nra.org.
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 25
Advising on the matter of
Multiple Handgun Sales Reporting
Federal Firearms Licensees are obligated to report the sale or transfer of multiple handguns and in more limited cases, multiple rifles (which we will review in next month’s article) to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Title 27 CFR 478.126a states: § 478.126a Reporting multiple sales or other disposition of pistols and revolvers. “Each licensee shall prepare a report of multiple sales or other disposition whenever the licensee sells or otherwise disposes of, at one time or during any five consecutive business days, two or more pistols, or revolvers, or any combination of pistols and revolvers totaling two or more, to an unlicensed person…The report shall be prepared on Form 3310.4, Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Pistols and Revolvers. Not later than the close of business on the day that the multiple sale or other disposition occurs, the licensee shall forward two copies of Form 3310.4 to the ATF office specified thereon and one copy to the State police or to the local law enforcement agency in which the sale or other disposition took place…” (emphasis added). This regulation applies to all types of FFLs and is not limited by geographical location. If you have an FFL you are obligated to meet the requirements set forth in the regulation. The most recent information available on ATF’s website indicates that failing to meet the provisions of this regulation was the 7th most cited violation during fiscal year 2017 compliance inspections conducted by ATF. Knowing the regulation is the first step; however, understanding what you and your team must do on a daily basis to comply is the key to meeting your compliance goals. It is imperative that you have a sound and effective Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place to keep you in compliance with § 478.126a. When developing an SOP for Multiple Handgun Sales Reporting the following should be considered: • ATF Form 3310.4 only applies to transfers of handguns as defined in the Gun Control Act of 1968. Therefore, transfer and sale of frames/receivers and “other” firearms are not applicable to this regulation. • You MUST submit the completed ATF F 3310.4 to ATF by the end of business ON the day the second handgun is transferred. That means weekends and any day in which you are open for business, including holidays, are applicable. 26 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
o You no longer HAVE to mail this form to ATF. You can simply email the completed ATF F 3310.4 to multiplehandgunsalesforms@atf.gov . o Emailing ATF F 3310.4 on the day the of the second handgun is transfered also will provide you with documentation of your FFL’s compliance with the timeline requirements of the regulation. As part of your SOP you should consider having an ATF F 3310.4 submission folder as part of your document retention procedures. • Keep in mind that just because your electronic bound book or e4473 may track these transactions or even auto-complete the ATF F 3310.4 for you, that is not a guarantee that you are in compliance with the regulation. o You should be aware of what system “triggers” generate the ATF F 3310.4. Is it upon disposition in your eBound Book? Does your eBound Book dispose immediately upon completion of the ATF F 4473, when the sale is finalized at your POS or is a manual review required of the ATF F 4473(s) before disposition? How the form is generated is important; however, when it generates and how it is submitted are the most critical points in your operation. o Does the 3310.4 automatically get emailed to ATF? If so, how do you retain the emailed confirmation for your records? If not, who is responsible for reviewing the form, submitting it to ATF and retaining the record? o Even the most sophisticated systems most likely do not mail the required Chief Law Enforcement Officer notication copy. Setting the expectation as to who will handle the task and when the task will be completed and tracked should be addressed in your SOP. Of course, these are just a small sample of what you should consider and there is no one size fits all SOP for all FFLs. If you already have SOPs in place, take a few minutes to review your current policy and procedure and compare your process to what is required under the regulation. Are there gaps? If so, an update to your SOP is required. If you don’t have SOPs for your business and believe it is time to implement them, rest assured knowing that you don’t have to start from scratch or reinvent the wheel. The NRA Business Alliance has partnered with the top firearms compliance consulting firm in the industry, Orchid Advisors, to assist you in defining your store’s operations and maintaining your compliance standards. As a member of the NRA Business Alliance you receive discounted access to accelerator SOPs designed specifically for FFL retailers that were created by indusrty leading experts. Not only can these starters save your significant time over developing your own SOPs, FFL BizHub also provides you with an online portal to store your SOPs for easy access at a moment’s notice. You can access this benefit and many others, including Orchid Advisors’ eBound Book and e4473, self-audit tools and more through the Orchid Advisor’s FFL BizHub portal. About Orchid Advisors Orchid Advisors provides ATF and ITAR compliance services to manufacturing, distribution, and retail FFLs. The firm offers FFL and export licensing, deep record inspections, e4473 / NFA eForms, Electronic Bound Book software and delivers the largest online ATF and ITAR compliance training platform available. Learn more at www. OrchidAdvisors.com.
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 27
NRA School Shield – A National Program with a Local Focus
By: Brian Goldstein, Training Manager
Since its inception, the NRA School Shield program has been on a mission to protect our children. A proven and effective way to enhance security in schools is to conduct a comprehensive vulnerability assessment. These assessments provide an all-inclusive approach to analyzing a school’s climate, physical security, communications systems, and overall preparedness. A vulnerability assessment highlights and reinforces a school’s strengths for keeping students and staff safe, and highlights potential areas requiring improvement. Launched in August 2015, the NRA School Shield Security Assessor Training seeks to facilitate a partnership between schools and local stakeholders in a shared commitment to more secure schools. At the conclusion of this training, participants are adequately primed to conduct school vulnerability assessments and assist schools in recognizing security strengths, as well as potential vulnerabilities. The NRA School Shield Security Assessor Training continues to grow in both number and geographic reach. From 2015-2017, NRA hosted 17 trainings in total, resulting in more than 200 trained assessors. In 2018 alone, NRA School Shield completed 14 trainings and nearly doubled the number of trained assessors across the nation. In 2019, NRA School Shield already has 16 trainings on the calendar – and that’s just for the first half of the year! By June, we will have successfully hosted our training in more than half of the nation’s states, which is a testament to the demand for this unique and vital resource. What’s more, NRA offers this training at no cost. It is completely free to host and free to attend, thanks to the generous support of NRA Members and supporters.
"School Shield is a multifaceted program. It does not focus on guns, or arming teachers, or school shooters. It focuses on school safety." —Eric Kaiser As Training Manager, I often receive feedback from participants who have attended the training, many of whom have said that they are eager to take best practices they have learned from the training and immediately apply them toward their local schools and communities. Participants have also shared that the training is eye-opening and informative to vulnerabilities or security concerns that they wouldn’t have otherwise identified before attending the training. Perhaps most rewarding, our training is consistently praised for being in-depth and engaging, leaving participants confident in their new skills to make our nation’s schools more secure. During the past year, many individuals who have hosted or attended our training have provided video testimonials, which are currently featured on our website: www.NRASchoolShield.org/training. As NRA School Shield continues to grow, we welcome the chance to work with any community in need who shares our commitment to protecting our children. For more information about hosting or attending one of our Security Assessor Trainings, please contact us by phone at (844)467-7723 or via email at info@nraschoolshield.org. 28 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
Security Training Class Eyes Nickerson High By Mary Clarkin / GateHouse Kansas
NICKERSON — Nickerson High School has new students on campus this week. Many of them wear law enforcement badges and three of them fill management jobs in the school district. They are looking for the security strengths at the school and the campus’ “opportunities” for improvement. The National Rifle Association’s School Shield program “Security Assessor Training” steers away from words like weaknesses and vulnerabilities. At the end of the week, the 19 participants will have seen them, though, and an overall report will be presented to the Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 school board. Also at the conclusion, the participants — including USD 309 Superintendent Dawn Johnson, Nickerson High School Principal Rick Blosser, and USD 309 Maintenance Director Danno Ochs — will be certified to provide security assessments at schools. Law enforcement agencies from around the state sent employees to the training. Jackson County Sheriff Department’s Joe Romans is going to be a school resource deputy for Jackson County, where there are three high schools. One lesson that impressed Romans was the directive to go to the stakeholders — teachers, staff, students — to discover answers to security needs. “It kind of cuts to the chase,” Romans said. During the lunch period Wednesday, Romans took a chair at tables with students and asked the students if they were king or queen for the day and had unlimited money, what would they do to change security. “Bodyguards everywhere,” was the first response at a table of boys. Next week, USD 309 is expected to interview applicants for the new job of school resource officer. The officer will be armed and will cover all USD 309 schools. Should the school have an armed officer? “We should,” said junior Koltin Gomez. It will “make the school safer,” said sophomore Darrian Holland. If an active shooter is in the building, the officer “could take him down, I guess,” Holland said. Franklin County Sheriff Department’s Sgt. Jason Bryan said every school has fire protection practices that are well defined. “We’re not to that point,” he said, with security measures. “Times have changed. Our society has changed. I don’t think we’ve kept up,” Bryan said. “Every community, every school is slightly different, in some cases vastly different,” he said. USD 309 worked with the South Hutchinson Police Department to get a grant for the Security Assessor Training class, with the school district offering to host the class at Nickerson High School. Attendance was free for all participants. Darrel Schenck and Larry Alexander are the NRA program’s instructors. More school administrators are taking the training, Schenck said, and that helps build a better bond between law Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 29
enforcement and schools. Architects generally are implementing more security in their design of new schools, Alexander said. They install secured doors and cameras and create visually open spaces. Nickerson High School opened in the mid-1950s. “For an old building, they are doing plenty of good stuff,” Schenck said. Visitors arriving at the entrance to Nickerson High have to announce themselves through an intercom before a staffer — who can see the visitors, too — releases the locked door. In the office, visitors sign in, list the time of arrival, their names, phone numbers, and reason for the visit. Visitors wear lanyards holding a “Visitor Pass” As he travels around presenting training, Schenck said, some problems he sees at schools are “more of a policy procedure complacency.” Law enforcement members from Reno County taking the training are Hutchinson Police Department’s Sgt. David Radke and Officers Josh Long and Tim Williams; Haven Police Department’s Officer Matt Hayden; and a Reno County Sheriff Department member working undercover. Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309's school board is developing a bond issue proposal and security and safety measures will be included in the package.
Haven Police Department Off icer Matt Hayden asks Nickerson High School students their opinions about school safety during lunch in the cafeteria Wednesday as part of the National Rifle Association School Shield program Security Assessor Training. SANDRA J. MILBURN, GateHouse Kansas 30 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
Continued from page 9 - Second Amendment Teens
experienced tremendous success. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troop in League City, TX, created the Hunting Venture Crew .30-06 in 2018. Being the first group of its kind, how they have influenced the 33 members is promising. Out of 12 adults, 10 became hunters. Out of 13 teenagers, 8 became hunters. Out of 10 active hunters, all 10 became first-time NRA members. Out of 24 longtime BSA members, all became firsttime NRA members. Here’s the most impressive statistic of all: Six ladies who joined the crew never shot a firearm before. After joining, not only are all of them active in the shooting
sports, but all six became first-time NRA members. In the end, this program saves time, money and resources by focusing on a more passionate group that knows what they want. From the adults who help with training to the teenagers receiving instruction, they are all sharing their knowledge and encouraging others to enjoy the shooting sports too. The empowerment that firearms safety and certification gives them is an experience they will look back on later in life with great fondness. Best of all, their passion for firearms and the outdoors will be passed on to the next generation. Learn more about the program at NorthAmericanOutdoors.org.
2019 RANGE DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS CONFERENCE
RANGE TECHNICAL TEAM
Maintaining America’s existing shooting ranges and developing new ones are one of the NRA’s top priorities to ensure the survival of the shooting sports. Created to provide an extension of NRA Headquarters to range owners and operators at the local level, the NRA Range Technical Team is a nationwide network of volunteers trained in the field of shooting range development, design, and operations.
Our Fall Conference will be in Dallas, Texas October 5-7, 2019. The conference is designed to educate potential and current range owners and operators in identifying potential problems associated with range development, environmental issues, and safety. Attendees will receive a multidisciplinary perspective on major topics, such as:
•
Business Planning
•
Sound Abatement
•
Range Safety
•
EPA Lead Standards
•
Range Equipment Costs
•
Law Enforcement
• Grants
•
Master Planning
•
NRA Programs
• Construction
•
Range Maintenance
• Insurance
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 31
NRA Range Services: Did You Know This? by Don McDougall
Reprinted with permission from Ammoland Inc.
NRA Range Services (www.rangeservices.nra.org) offers a number of resources to public and private ranges across the country including on-site assistance, educational seminars, grants, and much more. Every time I turn around I’m hearing about what the NRA doesn’t do. The fact is there are a LOT of things the NRA does that go unheralded. Their Range Services is one such program. A program I’ll bet many of you didn’t even know existed. I had the pleasure of meeting NRA Managing Director of Recreational Programs & Ranges Elizabeth Bush at the Shot Show and discussing these programs with her. Here is what I learned. What does the NRA Range Technical Team do? The NRA Range Technical Team Provides on-site assistance to shooting range facilities. The NRA Range Technical Team is a nationwide network of volunteers trained in the field of shooting range development, design, and operations. Services provided by Range Technical Team Advisors (RTTAs) include: • range planning assistance • range use and procedural evaluations • range safety and design evaluations What does this cost? NRA Affiliated Organizations: $450/ Non-affiliated Organizations: $500 Case Origination Fee includes one day of on-site assistance ($100 for each additional day of service). Case fees are inclusive of expenses incurred Don McDougall is an NRA instructor and member of the Los Padres “Friends of the NRA” committee. If he’s not at the range, you will f ind him setting the record straight with on gun issues and gun safety on AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.
32 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
relative to transportation, lodging, meals, telephone, etc., for initial visit and for all follow-up visits. The NRA Range Development & Operations Conferences The NRA Range Development & Operations Conference is designed to educate potential and current range owners and operators in identifying potential problems associated with range development, environmental issues, and safety. The NRA Range Source Book: NRA's guide to planning and constructing shooting ranges The NRA Range Source Book provides both basic and advanced guidance to assist in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of shooting range facilities. The source book discusses methods and technologies which may result in a fuller use of range operations. This book is promoted through the NRA Range Development & Operations Conferences and sold online through the NRA Program Materials Center to those looking for more information on owning and operating shooting ranges. You can apply for an NRA Range Grant NRA has a variety of grant programs available for range improvements through both the NRA and The NRA Foundation. If you are a club range, public shooting facility, or conduct shooting programs for the public, you may be eligible to receive funds to improve your range. Grant programs include:
– NRA-Aff iliated Range Funding Applicants for this program must be a 100% NRA membership NRA-Affiliated Club with funds made available at NRA’s sole discretion by approval of the Range Development Committee – a standing committee of the NRA Board of Directors. Grants can be awarded to assist with acquisition, development, and improvement of shooting facilities. This Range Grant program is limited to $5,000 per applicant per year, and the deadline for submission is August 1 annually.
– NRA Public Range Grant Funding Established in 2009, this matching grant program encourages city and county governments, and state or federal agencies, to work with NRA on efforts to build and improve public ranges across the United States. At the NRA's sole discretion, grants are awarded to assist with the acquisition, development, and improvement of public shooting facilities. Grants can also be awarded to assist qualifying agencies or local governments with projects designed to improve community relations and to address environmental issues related to range operations.NRA
– Foundation Range Grant Funding The NRA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. As such, funded projects must promote an allowable 501(c)(3) purpose. If your range is owned by a government agency, or is incorporated as a nonprofit entity or has an IRS 501(c) Determination Letter you may qualify for an NRA Foundation Range Grant. Applications from clubs or ranges requesting improvements must demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit qualified groups, such as the Boy Scouts, schools, or local law enforcement, or benefit the public at large. You can apply for an NRA Range Grant!
How many ranges do you work with every year? NRA helps to support 16,000 affiliated clubs and ranges each year. • 50-75 ranges receive help through our on-site assistance program • 150-250 ranges receive invaluable information on all aspects of range construction and operations thru our NRA Range Development & Operations Conference (in person conferences/online course offering) • Hundreds of other ranges that purchase the NRA Range Source Book to obtain NRA’s time tested recommendations on range design, construction and maintenance for both indoor and outdoor shooting facilities. Without you and the NRA we would be losing our shooting ranges. How can we help you and how can the shooting community make better use of your services? Keep visiting your ranges and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities for support offered by the NRA and NRA Range Services. Learn more at rangeservices.nra.org, contact NRA Range Services today at 877-NRA-Range (877-672-7264) or email ranges@ nrahq.org. The NRA is more than the political arm known as the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA). Many of their services are INVALUABLE to the shooting community. This program is just one of many AmmoLand News will be highlighting in the coming weeks.
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 33
COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTING SPRINGS INTO ACTION! Springtime brings plenty of Cowboy Mounted Shooting excitement In Tunica, Mississippi and Guthrie Oklahoma!
By Phil Spangenberger
Never let it be said that the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) doesn't have many matches to attend. With around 500 local club and national championships held annually, there's a competition to attend somewhere in the U.S. virtually every week of the year. For information on the many local club or national matches, simply go to www.cowboymountedshootingassociation.com, then click on EVENTS, to find information on dates, places, clubs, how to sign up for a match, and other pertinent information on competitions. Among the major matches coming up in the next couple of months are the CMSA Jeffers Equine National Championship, to be held April 13-20, at the Tunica Arena & EXPO Center, 3873 Highway 61 North, Tunica, MS. Deadline to sign up or this exciting competition is April 13. Even if you're not a member of the CMSA, and you'd just like to catch the action in this adrenalin-packed sport, highlighting some of the nation's best Cowboy and Cowgirl Mounted Shooters and the finest and fastest horses in the sport, you'll be treated to some exciting viewing. If you haven't seen, or participated in Cowboy Mounted Shooting, you'll be amazed a the shooting and riding skills shown during these western contests. As an alliance partner of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), some of the world's finest bred and most athletic animals will be working under saddle as their human teammates race them through specific courses faster than you'd think possible. Riders will be firing arena-safe, black powder blanks from .45 Colt caliber, pre-1898-type sixguns, at reactionary balloon targets that provide an exciting Wild West show for both spectator and the competitor. By the way, this might be a good time to take a trip to Memphis, Tennessee, as Tunica is only about a 30-minute drive south of the Birthplace of Rock 'N Roll, and such interesting places to visit like Elvis Presley's Graceland home, Sun Record Studios, Beale Street, the Memphis Zoo, and several other colorful things to do and see--and let's not forget great barbecue! If you find yourself in the Oklahoma City area in June, you may want to head over to Guthrie, June 5-8, for the CMSA Central US Championship, held at the world famous Lazy E Arena, Lazy E Drive, Guthrie, OK 73044. Again, some of the hottest Cowboy and Cowgirl Mounted Shooters will be vying for top honors of the region. June 5 is the deadline for members to sign up for this match. Like other CMSA events, this CMSA Central Championship offers both competitors and spectators a match they won't forget. The best part for spectators is that all of these competitions are free admission every day! CMSA is the premier national organization that governs the sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting. Dubbed by many as the “ultimate western shooting and riding challenge,” head on out to one of these competitions, and witness today's Wild West come to life through the sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting! It’s an exciting sport the entire family can enjoy watching or taking part in. CMSA’s Championship Series are held with the competitors riding to bring awareness of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, and its fight to cure cancer with courage and grit. For more information on Cowboy Mounted Shooting, contact the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association, P.O. Box 157, Roswell, NM 88202, or call 1-888-960-0003. www.cowboymountedshooting.com. 34 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • Spring 2019
Continued from page 9 - The Modern Long-Range Hunting Experience (especially long-range hunting) in three words was running through my mind. I relaxed and tucked my right rear arm into my side and hip, leaned hard into the rifle and oxygenated my lungs to calm my body. I knew the wind was quartering, resulting in a a 1 to 1.5 MOA right-to-left hold. This was a tough position. In fact, I know that I’ve had shots at 900 yards that were far easier. But I had put in the time, prepped the gear and did not fool around with gadgets. Instead, I waited for the situation to transform, only acting when the time is right. I was ready. I needed the buck to continue to move toward the doe about another 30 yards and stop. If he did, and I knew he would, he would appear between a lone tree branch fork at about 450 yards. I could take him at that exact spot and moment. Sure enough, the doe started moving, then stopping for a few seconds. My safety was off when he moved into the spot. I exhaled, pressed the trigger, and as the rifle lunged the suppressor guided the recoil into my shoulder. I could see the deer as he dropped—it was textbook. The dull sound of a death drop followed the bullet, whose sound had been easily muffled by the ability of the suppressor. That buck had the most humane death possible. In an instant, he was not only feeding a family, but also providing life lessons to a young boy with his dad—bringing balance to people and nature. It was perfect. So why does this matter to competitive shooters? In looking back, there’s a few key things to note. Long-range hunting is not just the 1000-yard shot, in fact it almost never is. In long-range hunting, especially when doing it by yourself or as in this case with a young inexperienced helper, the hunter has to be tremendously prepared and have the right gear. In this case the greatest piece of gear was the Zeiss Victory RF binoculars. They enabled me to quickly observe the deer, range it, check to determine if it was a shooter and then immediately get on my rifle, and shoot quickly.
Additionally, in this situation the many years of competitive shooting in all disciplines enabled this type of shot. As a pistol shooter I learned just what real trigger control meant and how to apply it as a precision rifle shooter. As a rifleman, the sport of PRS (Precision Rife Series) dramatically improved my positional shooting skills. As a multi gun shooter, the skills developed surrounding planning out my approach for how and what way it would be best to shoot were very helpful. Finally, all the skills from competitive shooting were on display in this scenario, especially with the ability to feel and manage pressure under time constraints. Competition shooting builds great life skills and practical life skills. It also will make you one heck of a shooter and hunter especially if you learn how to use your gear in the right way at the right time. I hope this story helps to remind you just how important the right to bear arms is and why supporting the NRA is critical. I further hope to see you partaking in the many NRA and other competition shooting events in the future. If you see me, please introduce yourself and tell me how competitive shooting is helping you. I’d love to hear all about it.
Spring 2019 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 35
NRA Affiliated State Associations AL STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N Address Currently Unavailable 256-534-7968 Website Currently Unavailable
ID STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N PO Box 140293 Boise, ID 83714-0293 208-452-0293 www.idahosrpa.org
MN RIFLE & REVOLVER ASS'N, INC. P.O. Box 143 Farmington, MN 55024 320-968-6898 www.mrra.org
AK OUTDOOR COUNCIL, INC. 310 K St Ste 200 Anchorage, AK 99501 907-264-6645 www.alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org
IL STATE RIFLE ASS'N, INC. P.O. Box 637 420 E. Locust St. Chatsworth, IL 60921 815-635-3198 www.isra.org
MS STATE FIREARM OWNERS ASS'N PO Box 1061 McComb, MS 39649 601-341-8797 msfoa.tripod.com
AZ STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N P.O. Box 301 Cave Creek, AZ 85327 480-433-8047 www.asrpa.com
IN STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N, INC. Address Currently Unavailable 812-534-3258 www.isrpa.org
MO SPORT SHOOTING ASS’N P.O. Box 209 Winfield, MO 63389-1155 314-440-3811 www.missourisportshooting.org
AR RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N 4 Porter Field Drive Greenbrier, AR 72058 501-581-8762 arpa-online.org
IA FIREARMS COALITION PO Box 994 Cedar Falls, IA 50613 563-340-1377 www.iowafc.org
MT RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N P.O. Box 48 Ramsay, MT 59748 406-868-4181 www.mtrpa.org
CA RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N, INC. 271 E Imperial Hwy Ste 620 Fullerton, CA 92835 714-992-2772 www.crpa.org
KS STATE RIFLE ASS'N P.O. Box 219 Bonner Springs, KS 66012 913-608-1910 www.ksraweb.org
NE MARKSMANSHIP ASS’N PO Box 390311 Omaha, NE 68139 402-933-4881 www.nemarksmanship.org
CO STATE SHOOTING ASS'N 510 Wilcox St Suite C Castle Rock, CO 80104 303-663-9339 www.cssa.org
LEAGUE of KY SPORTSMEN, INC. 116 Hume Rd Lexington, KY 40516 859-858-0135 www.kentuckysportsmen.com
NV FIREARMS COALITION 5575 Simmons St, Ste I-176 North Las Vegas, NV 89031 702-353-5935 www.nvfac.org
CT STATE RIFLE & REVOLVER ASS'N P.O. Box 754 North Haven, CT 06473 860-480-4600 www.csrra.com
LA SHOOTING ASS'N 350 Quill Ct. Slidell, LA 70461 985-781-4174 www.louisianashooting.com
GUN OWNERS OF NH, INC. P.O. Box 847 Concord, NH 03302-0487 603-225-4664 www.gonh.org
DE STATE SPORTSMEN’S ASS'N P.O. Box 94 Lincoln, DE 19960 302-764-6899 www.dssa.us
ME PINE TREE STATE R&P ASS'N, INC 14 Pine Road Wiscasset, ME 04578 207-882-4713 www.mainerpa.org
ASS'N OF NJ R&P CLUBS, INC. 5 Sicomac Rd Ste 292 North Haledon, NJ 07508 973-764-4100 www.anjrpc.org
FL SPORT SHOOTING ASS'N, INC. 4412 Hood Road Jacksonville, FL 32257 904-880-1715 www.flssa.org
MD STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N 341 Whitfield Rd Catonsville, MD 21228 410-838-1734 www.msrpa.org
NM SHOOTING SPORTS ASS'N, INC. P.O. Box 20787 Albuquerque, NM 87154 505-286-8449 www.nmssa.org
GA SPORT SHOOTING ASS’N 880 Marietta Highway - PO Box 351 Roswell, GA, 30075 404-791-5166 www.gssainc.org
(MA) GUN OWNERS’ ACTION LEAGUE
PO Box 567, 361 W Main St Northboro, MA 01606 508-393-5333 www.goal.org
NY STATE R&P ASS’N, INC. 90 S. Swan Street Suite 395 Albany, NY 12210 518-272-2654 www.nysrpa.org
HI RIFLE ASSOCIATION PO Box 543 Kailua, HI 96734 808-306-7194 www.hawaiirifleassociation.org
MI RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N P.O. Box 71 Marshall, MI 49068-0071 269-781-1223 www.michrpa.com
NC RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N P.O. Box 4116 Pinehurst, NC 28374 910-295-7220 www.ncrpa.org
NRA Clubs & Associations • Spring 26 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION 2018
• 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 • clubs.nra.org
NRA Affiliated State Associations ND SHOOTING SPORTS ASS'N P.O. Box 228 Bismarck, ND 58502 701-255-4601 www.ndssa.org
UT STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N 2718 E. 9725 South Sandy, UT 84092-3405 801-942-6529 Website Currently Unavailable
OH RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N PO Box 1201 Morehead, KY 40351-5201 513-426-7944 www.orpa.net
VT FED'N OF SPRTMN’S CLUBS, INC. PO Box 225 Lyndonville, VT 05851 802-535-7111 www.vtfsc.org
OK RIFLE ASS'N P.O. Box 280 Maud, OK 74854-0280 405-374-8262 www.oklarifle.org
VA SHOOTING SPORTS ASS’N P.O. Box 1258 Orange, VA 22960 540-672-5848 www.myvssa.org
OR STATE SHOOTING ASS’N P.O. Box 231191 Portland, OR 97281-1161 541-409-3358 www.ossa.org
WA STATE R&P ASS'N, INC. Address Currently Unavailable 206-427-8257 www.wsrpa.net
PA RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N Address Currently Unavailable 814-236-0708 www.pennarifleandpistol.org
WV SRPA PO Box 553 Charles Town, WV 25414 304-783-5381 www.wvasrpa.org
GUN RIGHTS & SAFETY ASS'N OF PR PO Box 191919 San Juan, PR 00919-1919 787-691-1919 www.grsapr.org
WI F.O.R.C.E. PO Box 130 Seymour, WI 54165 607-799-3539 www.wi-force.org
RI 2ⁿd AMENDMENT COALITION 928 Atwood Ave Johnston, RI 02919 401-944-1600 www.ri2nd.org
WY STATE SHOOTING ASS'N, INC. Address Currently Unavailable 307-335-9323 www.wyossa.com
GUN OWNERS OF SC P.O. Box 211 Little Mountain, SC 29075 803-345-5761 www.gosc.org SD SHOOTING SPORTS ASS'N PO Box 3 Dell Rapids, SD 57022 605-428-5488 www.sdshootingsports.org TN SHOOTING SPORTS ASS'N, INC. 6653 Jocelyn Hollow Road Nashville, TN 37205 615-791-1879 www.tennesseeshootingsportsassociation.org
TX STATE RIFLE ASS'N 8411 N. IH 35 Austin, TX 78753 512-615-4200 www.tsra.com
NRA Clubs & Associations • 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 • clubs.nra.org Spring 2018 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 27
NRA Field Representative Directory EASTERN REGION Eastern Regional Director
Bryan Hoover
Area 1 (ME, NH, VT)
Brian Smith
Area 2 (NY) Bruce McGowan
bhoover@nrahq.org bsmith@nrahq.org bmcgowan@nrahq.org
Area 3 (CT, MA, RI, NJ, Lower NY)
Craig Decker
cdecker@nrahq.org
Area 4 (DE, Eastern PA)
Kory Enck
kenck@nrahq.org
Area 5 (Western PA)
Thomas Baldrige
tbaldridge@nrahq.org
Area 7 (WV, Western VA, Western MD)
Michael Swackhamer
Area 12 (Southern OH)
David Graham
dgraham@nrahq.org
Area 45 (DC, Eatern MD, Eastern VA)
David Wells
dwells@nrahq.org
Area 49 (Northern OH)
Marc Peugeot
mpeugeot@nrahq.org
Central Regional Director
Chad Franklin
cfranklin@nrahq.org
Area 13 (Northern MO)
Travis Scott
tscott@nrahq.org
mswackhamer@nrahq.org
CENTRAL REGION
Area 14 (IN) Craig Haggard
chaggard@nrahq.org
Area 15 (KY) John LaRowe
jlarowe@nrahq.org
Area 17 (WI) Scott Taetsch
staetsch@nrahq.org
Area 18 (Northern IL)
Michael Huber
mhuber@nrahq.org
Area 19 (MO)
Tim Besancenez
Area 23 (IA, NE)
Tim Bacon
Area 51 (MI) Allan Herman Area 52 (Southern IL)
tbesancenez@nrahq.org tbacon@nrahq.org aherman@nrahq.org
Donald Higgs
dhiggs@nrahq.org
Southern Regional Director
Al Hammond
ahammond@nrahq.org
Area 8 (Eastern NC)
Garland B. Storey III
Area 9 (SC)
Freeman Coleman
SOUTHERN REGION
Area 10 (GA) Neely Raper Area 11 (Northern FL)
Bret Eldridge
Area 16 (LA) Chad Bowen Area 22 (AL, MS)
Bobby Berthelot
Area 42 (Western NC)
Doug Merrill
gstorey@nrahq.org fcoleman@nrahq.org nraper@nrahq.org beldridge@nrahq.org cbowen@nrahq.org bberthelot@nrahq.or dmerrill@nrahq.org
Area 43 (TN) Mike Webb
mwebb@nrahq.org
Area 48 (Southern FL)
tknight@nrahq.org
• Spring 28 • NRA CLUB CONNECTION 2018 NRA Clubs & Associations
Tom Knight
• 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 • clubs.nra.org
NRA Field Representative Directory MID WEST REGION Mid West Regional Director
Tom Ulik
tulik@nrahq.org
Area 20 (OK) Darren DeLong Area 24 (KS) VACANT
ddelong@nrahq.org ----------------------------------------------
Area 25 (Northern TX)
Kevin Post
kpost@nrahq.org
Area 44 (Eastern TX)
Liz Foley
efoley@nrahq.org
Area 26 (Southern TX)
Tyler Ward
tward@nrahq.org
Area 27 (NM) Michael Guilliams Area 30 (CO) Brad Dreier
mguilliams@nrahq.org bdrier@nrahq.org
Area 39 (AR) Erica Willard-Dunn
ewillard@nrahq.org
Area 47 (Western TX)
Jack Cannon
jcannon@nrahq.org
Brad Kruger
bkruger@nrahq.org
WESTERN REGION Western Regional Director
Area 21 (MN) Eric Linder
elinder@nrahq.org
Area 28 (MT) Joseph Crismore
jcrismore@nrahq.org
Area 29 (WY) Logan Duff
lduff@nrahq.org
Area 33 (ID) Steve Vreeland
svreeland@nrahq.org
Area 34 (HI, OR)
Mike Carey
mcarey@nrahq.org
Area 38 (Southern AK)
Greg Stephens
gstephens@nrahq.org
Area 40 (WA) Michael Herrera
mherrera@nrahq.org
Area 41 (ND, SD)
Doug DeLaRoi
ddelaroi@nrahq.org
Area 53 (Northern AK)
Josh Toennessen
jtoennessen@nrahq.org
SOUTHWESTERN REGION Southwestern Regional Director
Jason Quick
Area 31 (AZ) Winston Pendelton
jquick@nrahq.org wpendelton@nrahq.org
Area 32 (UT, Eastern NV)
Jim Reardon
jreardon@nrahq.org
Area 35 (Northern CA)
Daniel Wilhelm
dwilhelm@nrahq.org
Area 36 (Southern CA)
Mike Davis
mdavis@nrahq.org
Area 37 (Central CA, Southern NV) Steve Wilson
swilson@nrahq.org
Area 46 (Eastern CA)
Cole Beverly
cbeverly@nrahq.org
Area 50 (Mid California)
Sheila Boer
sboer@nrahq.org
• NRA CLUB CONNECTION • 29 Spring 2018 NRA Clubs & Associations • 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 • clubs.nra.org
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Recreational Programs & Ranges 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, VA 22030
Club Leadership Development Online Course
Is your club looking for new leadership? Are you a current club officer and need an update? Check out the NRA Club Leadership Development Online Course to obtain your NRA Approved Club Officer Certificate. The NRA Club Leadership & Development Online Course is designed to educate current and incoming club officers and leaders in club operations, programs, and membership development.
Sign up today by visiting www.nraonlinetraining.org.