A PUBLICATION OF THE
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
SUMMER 2016
Congratulations to the NCAA Rifle Champions at
West Virginia University!
Pg. 18
m a g a z i n e President's Column: Clinton, Pelosi And Schumer Form A Triumvirate Against Liberty
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Julie Golob:
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Competitive Shooting in the Instagram Generation
NRA Public Range Spotlight:
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West Virginia
Gold Medal Clubs
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2016's Recipients of the Award
First Light: NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge
Eddie Eagle® Stop! Don't Touch! Run Away! Tell A Grown Up!
NRA Recruiting
NCAA Rifle Champions!
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West Virginia University Mountaineers!
NRA Sports Magazine Goes Digital Stay up to date with the NRA Blog
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Editor:
Son Nguyen, National Manager Clubs & Associations and Ranges snguyen@nrahq.org Design & Layout:
© Copyright 2016 National Rifle Association
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Strategies for the Election Year
Published quarterly by the National Rifle Association of America Recreational Programs & Ranges
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Stephen Czarnik, Program Coordinator Clubs & Associations sczarnik@nrahq.org
(800) NRA-Club (672-2582) clubs@nrahq.org COVER: West Virginia University's Rifle Team competitor and 2016 Olympic hopeful, Ginny Thrasher won the 2016 NCAA Championships’ Top Performer Award. PHOTO CREDIT: WVU Athletics
NRA Clubs & Associations • 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 • (800) NRA-Club • clubs.nra.org
Clinton, Pelosi And Schumer Form A Triumvirate Against Liberty
By Allan D. Cors, NRA President
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ever have we seen a presidential candidate as extreme as Hillary Clinton, who has made shredding the Bill of Rights the centerpiece of her campaign for the White House. To do so, she has threatened executive orders that would make President Barack Obama’s abuses of power look mild. And she plans to drastically alter the makeup of the .. Supreme Court to render meaningless the right to keep and bear arms altogether. She will do the same with the First Amendment — criminalizing the kind of speech we practice every day to save the freedom of all Americans. Hillary knows there is one force in our still-free nation that stands in her way — the . She has referred to our organization, and all those who stand with us, as “the enemy.” And if she gets the power, she will try to destroy everything we are and everything we stand for. Hillary has made dismantling the a seminal objective during her campaign. As long as I’ve been in politics, I have never seen such a measure of hatred for the freedom of individual Americans. It’s not just Hillary. This hatred marks a large segment of her party’s apparatus. Imagine if Nancy Pelosi were back in control of the .. House of Representatives, or if Charles Schumer becomes majority leader of the .. Senate. As Wayne LaPierre has so succinctly put it, these people not only hate guns, but they hate us for being free to possess and use them.
Mind you, never lose sight of the fact that the — as a truly non-partisan organization — has always wholeheartedly supported Democrats who stand with us, and we have equally opposed Republicans who denigrate the Second Amendment. The fruit of that honest dedication to our cause, above all else, is the reason that during periods of total partisan congressional deadlock, the wins the day for the Second Amendment with votes from both sides of the aisle. That does not change with Hillary’s all-out war on what she calls “the gun culture.” Think about that term,“gun culture,” and what it encompasses—a centuries-old history of a free people owning firearms for whatever peaceable reason they might have. The “gun culture” includes everything we do: recreational
shooting, hunting, self-defense, defense of homes, and collecting, studying, designing and trading in firearms. The good news in this dire political threat is that, for now, you and I have the ability to stop Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in their march to ultimate power — to positions they will all use to liquidate the First and Second Amendments. Those two constitutional amendments are at the head of the Bill of Rights because the founders understood that the two powers reserved to the people are entwined. One protects the other. Together they protect all our liberty. As I crisscross this great nation meeting with you, your friends and families, I am never disappointed at the wisdom, knowledge and political sophistication that we as an assembled people collectively possess. When it comes to anything connected with saving the Second Amendment, nobody in the nation can touch the power of individual members. One of the elements of our dedication to our cause that I preach is mentoring — finding people with the same love and passion for the practice of the right to keep and bear arms, and helping to nurture and guide their interest. This is especially true of young people. We need to give them the same opportunities as they grow up that we were given as kids. But there is another mentoring that is paramount in this dire time. Each of us must reach out to friends, family, colleagues — all voters — with our honest message about saving the rights that guarantee our liberty. There are million firearm owners in the nation, and — with the endless threats from the Obama administration — those numbers are growing as new gun owners are voting with their pocketbooks. In the coming weeks before the election, we must become mentors for the Second Amendment. We must be the well-informed nucleus to spread the word about just what is at stake in the next four years. The dangers are real, especially for those among us who get their news only from the big media. It is up to us to break through the fog of media ignorance and untruths we see, read and hear every day. If we do our job with gentle, well-reasoned persuasion, then we will prevail at the ballot this November by convincing others to join with us to save their freedoms and the future of our liberty. Summer 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 1
JCompetitive ULIE GOLOB : Shooting in the Instagram Generation The evolution of social media from a competitive shooting standpoint By John Parker, Managing Editor, Shooting Sports USA
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n a social media landscape that inundates competitors looking for daily news and information, Smith & Wesson Team Captain Julie Golob sets the standard in utilizing the medium for one simple task: Sharing her love of competition shooting to friends and followers alike. Over the last decade, social media has matured from its beginnings with Friendster and MySpace into the myriad of platforms that are available today. People around the world—including competitive shooters—can instantly connect with their like-minded counterparts. With terms like “live streaming” now entering the lexicon of even the oldest and crotchetiest shooters, (Hint: Google “Periscope”), the time is now to examine this amazing phenomenon, and we thought who better than Julie Golob to tell us how the platform has evolved from a competitive shooting standpoint. Julie uses more than just Facebook and Twitter to communicate with her fans. Julie’s website also hosts her very own video channel called JulieG.TV (check it out if you haven’t already, it is a real treasure trove of shooting info) and serves up weekly podcasts. She even hosts a video series with Shooting Sports USA’s sister publication NRA Family with interesting topics such as “What to Expect When You Are Expecting for Concealed Carry” and “How to Talk to Young Kids About Guns.” 2 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
SSUSA: Tell us how you first started using social media? JULIE GOLOB: I discovered this thing called Facebook [Laughs], and so I jumped on and started connecting with shooter friends that I only got to see at matches like the Bianchi Cup and USPSA Nationals. It was a really fun way to connect beyond the few times in person throughout the year. When Facebook rolled out the athlete page option, I thought it would be a great way to reach more people. I may have been one of the first, if not the first, competitive shooter to take advantage of it. Initially I got a lot of flak for it. [Laughs]. SSUSA : Really? That is surprising. JG : A little bit. Back when social media was starting to really take off there were those that viewed having a Facebook page as self-promoting and it was looked down by some. I didn’t create it for that reason. I use my page as a tool to share shooting with people who I am not “friends” with on Facebook. I can connect with them through the athlete page and save my profile for personal posts. It wasn’t long before other shooters saw that it has a lot of value, and now just about everybody has a page. I think Facebook is a really great option for gun owners in general to connect.
SSUSA : A great tool to share a common love of the shooting sports? JG : Sure, with Facebook you can make that “I love me” page like the Kardashians have—but the vast majority of shooters out there use it to connect with other gun owners and enthusiasts. It allows followers to get a “snapshot” of what life as someone who loves shooting and the shooting sports is really like—it’s a valuable tool. SSUSA: What is your favorite social media network right now? JG : Professionally? By far, Facebook. It has kept up with the demand by constantly innovating the platform. In the beginning it seemed like they were coming up with an update every three months, changing the newsfeed around and confusing people, but they have slowed down with the drastic changes. Facebook has incorporated some really cool tools and the apps are much more advanced over the other networks. Facebook is constantly evolving, and has proven to have staying power over the years too. A close second and personal favorite of mine is Instagram. I love photos, both taking them and seeing others’, even if they are just pics that show a peek into people’s lives. I can follow all of my chicken pages [Editor’s Note: Julie loves chickens]. It’s a really neat way to find a niche
of what you like, follow, and see what other people are doing. SSUSA: Have you ever tried Vine or any of the newer services? JG : I try them all, and I give them a trial period. Vine did not really click for me. I still have a username out there, but I no longer actively participate. My advice to shooters who think they need to be everywhere, is to slow down and find the outlets that you enjoy. If you dread social media and the processes involved with it, it will show and your fans will notice. The best route is to go with the service or networks that you enjoy using the most, and where you’ll happily spend your time and effort. SSUSA: Do you think that live streaming services from Periscope, and more recently Facebook will have an impact on championships such as the Bianchi Cup? JG : Live streaming has huge potential for the shooting sports! You can put up live video for everything from a local match to the Bianchi Cup, and have it seen by so many people. When I post live video, my view stats are higher than just traditional video. Periscope is another great tool. I love when I get that little “tweet” on my phone and I can see who is streaming live. I can watch now, or I can watch it later, but only for up to 24 hours. Periscope is really intriguing because it has such a shelf Summer 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 3
life. There is a sense of urgency to it. I think live video tools, whether it’s Facebook, Periscope or even SnapChat—because we can do this from our phones, we can take any experience everywhere. You can even stream to Periscope from a GoPro now. The technology aspect is amazing. SSUSA: Do you think that live streaming and social media might have an impact on training the next generation of competitive shooters? JG : It’s a possibility. Trainers now have an opportunity to share quick tips. For example, some professional shooters take to Periscope while training on the range. Being able to share nuggets of information that a shooter of any skill level can learn from and hopefully have that “Oh I need to do that … now I understand” moment is a great way to market a class or course. Instead of just reading about guns, gear and training, potential students are learning and seeing it in real time. SSUSA: Do you think younger competitive shooters are interested in matches with more connectivity and instant gratification? JG : I think there is an allaround interest for all of the different sports available in general. What social media and live streaming bring to the table is that the shooting sports are becoming accessible to this generation as soon as they are interested in it, and that is the key. Gone are the days when a junior competitor, or even a millennial, will go and find a print magazine for the info they want. They are going to search YouTube or Google it first. If they are on a live streaming platform, or even Facebook or Instagram, and they can get information about an event, it’s going to inspire them. We want them inspired so they will go give the shooting sports a try, or at least think about gun safety and safe, responsible gun ownership. It all comes full circle and frankly the shooting sports need to step up with the times. That goes for the shooting industry in general too. We need to be able to use these free communication tools, while they are still relatively 4 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
unregulated and inexpensive, to connect the dots between new shooters, experienced shooters and our industry. SSUSA: Do you see any differences in how you began your shooting career, and how junior shooters these days are starting theirs? JG : Yes and no. I think the vast majority of new competitors out there are still learning from their families, in many cases it’s the dads — I was a daddy’s girl. Shooting is a great bonding hobby for dads and daughters, dads and sons, and of course, many moms and their kids too! That seems to be the common thread we see from the past, when I started shooting and shooters starting out now. Nowadays, we are much more open to sharing the experience, versus how it was when I first started shooting. It was 25 years ago this year that I started competing, and I know when I first showed up at the range I was pretty much the only young girl around. I felt a good bit of scrutiny, this being during the Clinton Administration and a very anti-gun era for our country. Some people did not think my presence at the range was a good thing. That was the sentiment, until I was able to show that I was at the range because I wanted to be there, and I wanted to be safe, which was the most important thing. Shooters accepted me with open arms. Now, we are very proactive as an industry in general in supporting junior competitions and youth programs. We celebrate when young shooters are enjoying the shooting sports and being safe and responsible. It’s a stark contrast. We also have all these kids sharing their experiences now, in a way that I felt I never could. For me, it was almost like Fight Club, nobody talked about me shooting guns as a kid. [Laughs]. SSUSA: At what point going to the range as a youth did you know that shooting was what you wanted to do for a living? JG : I am the middle child in our family, and I never really got along with my brother and sister as a kid. I didn’t want to hang around them, I knew if I went to the range with my dad I would get a Happy Meal and do
my own thing. It was great! Then, I started helping shooters pick up their brass. My dad shot a lot of silhouette, so I began spotting for him, sitting behind the spotting scope, letting him know where he hit on the chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams. It was fun, and my dad and I became a team. After that he started taking me to the action shooting events and that’s where I really became inspired. Every year our home club hosted one of the largest matches in the country called the Miller Invitational. The pro shooters that attended, the Rob and Kippi Leathams, the Jerry and Kay Miculeks, etc. they became my athletic inspiration. When I was 14, my dad and I decided that I was old enough, responsible enough, and strong enough to give shooting a try. I remember driving home after one of those Miller Invitationals and I told my dad I wanted to be a pro shooter. It is something I set my mind to, and I knew I was going to do everything I could to do it. SSUSA: Do you think that the social media demands these days facing pro shooters distracts from focusing? JG : I think that if you are not social media savvy, it becomes challenging. A lot of pro shooters like to keep their lives private, because they don’t want a lot of their personal information out there or their “secrets to success” leaked out, because they work so hard to get where they are. Some pro shooters use social media as a tool to share their success and promote their sponsors. Other shooters have come onto the scene and because of their communication skills beyond the range have become pros because of social media. Different companies see different value in both of these examples. Some companies think it doesn’t matter if they
sponsor a “quiet” shooter, as long as that shooter brings home the titles. Contrast that with another company that may not even care if a shooter ever wins a single match, and companies like this want that personable presence. A shooter that is relatable to the shooting community becomes a great representative for their brand. In the end it all comes down to what a company wants for their brand. The definition of a professional shooter is evolving. It used to be if you made a living based on your shooting performance, you reached pro status. Now there are other ways to shoot for a living and be considered a pro. For me social media can be difficult because the more I do with social media, the more time I have plans to commit to it. I’m not going to be on social media and not be social. If someone takes the time to comment on my Facebook page, I’m going to read, like and possibly respond. Regrettably, I do miss some, but I really try to connect with
those who connect with me. That’s very important to me. So yes, social media can be distracting, but it just takes time management and it’s extremely valuable communication with fellow shooters and followers. SSUSA: I saw you recently crossed over 100,000 Facebook followers, congratulations! Quite the milestone. It must be very satisfying. JG : Thank you! It is, very much. It’s completely 100 percent organic (self-found) too, and that’s what makes me most proud. That and the number of people I reach in the week. It’s significant, and I feel like what I’m doing is good for the world of shooting. Thanks to Julie Golob for taking time out of her busy day to talk to Shooting Sports USA. We look forward to seeing you again at the next NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits. Visit her website at www.juliegolob.com.
Summer 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 5
Safety Tips R
efuse To Be A Victim®, the 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 strategies and tips that they can implement into their everyday lives to help make them 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. If you are interested in learning more about the program or finding a seminar near you, please visit refuse.nra.org. Interested in taking our Online Instructor Course? Please visit NRAOnlineTraining.org.
How To Be Safe On Social Media
Social media is an incredible tool, when used correctly. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn and other social networks have become integral parts of our lives. They are great ways to stay connected with people, but it’s important to be cautious about what you post. These networks often give us a false sense of security – we think because we have the options to choose our “friends” or what we post, we are safe. That’s not always the case. Here are some tips on how to be safe on social media: • Learn and understand privacy settings. Every social network platform offers some type of default privacy setting, but that does not mean it’s the best one for you. It’s important to review and know exactly what those settings are, and adjust them to best fit your needs. • Be selective of your friends. Social networks are great for staying connected with family and friends, as well as those who maybe you’ve met once or twice. Know who you are sharing information with and think about whether they really need to know the information. You can often create different groups of friends that you can share information with accordingly. • Protect your reputation. Social networking has expanded beyond family and friends, recruiters and employers are also using it to vet you. It’s important to make sure you are representing yourself positively, whether in photos or in text.
• Be aware of harmful or malicious content. Just because the video or link comes from a trusted source does not always mean it is trustworthy. Be wary and cautious of clicking on links because they could contain viruses, malware and other online threats. • Personal Information is just that, personal. What you post online may be visible to more people than you think. Be cautious of the amount and type of personal information you choose to share. Giving away too many details makes it easier for a hacker or someone to use that information to steal your identity, data and commit other crimes such as stalking. • Do not post your location on any social media platform in real time. Instagram, twitter, and Facebook all have location settings. DO NOT update these in real time. This information can be used to find you or be used to know when your home may be vulnerable.
Being safe does not only apply to the physical world, it is also applicable to the virtual world. Protect yourself, and your loved ones by keeping these tips in mind. What you post online, even if you hit the “Delete” button will always stay online. Think twice before posting! If you are interested in learning more about the Refuse To Be A Victim® program or f inding a seminar near you, please visit refuse.nra.org. 6 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
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Spring 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 13 Spring 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 7
NRA Public Range Fund Spotlight:
West Virginia By Brian Hyder, National Liaison, General Operations, NRA
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f you ever visit the “Mountain State”, you will be impressed with the rugged beauty of the landscape, its mountains, and rolling hills and vast river valleys. It is rich with natural resources, many of which drive the economy of the state. Outdoor recreation opportunities include skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and hunting. Many of these activities are critical to the economy of West Virginia. Whitewater enthusiasts from around the world come to the state to challenge the New and the Gauley River, two of the best to be found anywhere. The New River is claimed to be the second oldest in the world, carving its path through the Appalachian Mountains which are over 300 million years old — some of the oldest on earth. Another major resource in the state is coal. This Wild and Wonderful state is second only to Wyoming as the top coal producer in the country. It is also a strong producer of natural gas and oil.
8 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
The rugged terrain of the Mountain State has also produced some rugged, independent people. Hunting, fishing and shooting are just as important to residents (as well as non-residents) today as they were when the state was being settled. Today, 350,000 hunters create more than 5,000 jobs which contribute over $270 million to the state’s economy annually. Populations of wild boar, deer, bear, wild turkey, squirrel, ruffed grouse, quail, rabbit, pheasant, raccoon, fox and bobcats are all found in the diverse ecosystems of these mountains. Wildlife resources are managed by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources under the direction of Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section. Paul and his staff oversee a statewide Wildlife Management Program which is designed to provide high quality habitat as well as public access to these resources. At the present time, 1.4 million acres are managed by the Wildlife Resources Section of the DNR.
Early this year, the DNR announced the acquisition of 32,000 acres of habitat for elk restoration in the state. Made possible by the Conservation Fund, this acquisition makes West Virginia a partner in a multi-state effort to restore elk to the Appalachian region. This acquisition is located in Lincoln, Logan and Mingo counties. So, in the near future, elk will also be an important managed species in the state. Another important function of West Virginia’s Wildlife Management Areas is providing public shooting opportunities for the citizens of the state. Currently, the state manages 31 publicly available shooting ranges. This ranks them near the top in ranges per state nationally. The state has always had a goal to provide a range within 30-45 minutes of every citizen in the state and they’re close to realizing that goal. With 31 ranges now, most of their focus for the future will be on maintaining these existing ranges. Zack Brown is the agency’s Capitol Improvements Coordinator and it is his responsibility to develop and manage the ranges in the state. Zack had this to say about the importance of public ranges, “Public shooting ranges provide our hunters with the ability to sight in and practice with their firearms before going into the field to hunt. This leads to a safer, more successful hunting season. For those shooters who do not hunt, our public ranges provide a safe area to practice and become familiar with their firearms.” The shooters and hunters of West Virginia are fortunate to have an agency with such a strong commitment to providing public ranges. In 2009, the year the NRA began the Public Range Grant Program, West Virginia was one of the first states to apply for funds. A grant was approved to the state to construct the Chief Logan Public Range in Logan County and this was the first range nationally to open with support from the new NRA program. Soon to be Governor, Earl Ray Tomblin, and yours truly were on hand along with scores of other supporters for the dedication and grand opening of the new range. Since this first project at Chief Logan, there have been 3 more projects supported by the NRA’s grant program: Kumbrabow State Forest, Sleepy Creek and Dents Run. Most of the ranges are at least 100 yards and have covered shooting benches. All users are urged to carry out what they bring in and always leave the range better than you found it. The WV/NRA partnership is a perfect example of how the program is intended to work. The NRA’s grant program helps the state find the matching funds necessary to secure the Pittman-Robertson federal aid dollars to fund public ranges. Chief Paul Johansen had this to say recently about this partnership, “ We have been very fortunate to partner with the NRA on several public shooting ranges in West Virginia. The ability to utilize the Public Range Fund monies has allowed the WVDNR to provide
quality, public facilities for shooters in areas with high user demand.” For more information on West Virginia’s public ranges go to: http://www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/SRanges.shtm or contact Zack Brown at zack.j.brown@wv.gov. So, the next time you’re passing through Wild and Wonderful West Virginia or if you’re looking for a place to shoot in the state, check out one of the state’s 31 public ranges. And if you happen to meet one of the DNR’s employees there, thank them for providing these facilities and be sure to keep up your support of the NRA so we can continue to provide this important program to the states. To apply for an NRA Public Range Grant visit https://rangeservices.nra.org/funding-grants/
Summer 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 9
Congratulations to all the 2016 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.
Airfield Shooting Club Alaska Interior Marksmanship Committee American 1800 Adventure Club Anne Arundel Fish & Game Assn Apple Valley Gun Club Arnold Rifle and Pistol Club Ashe County Wildlife Club Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod & Gun Club Branford Gun Club, Inc. Buccaneer Gun Club Cairo Sportsman Club Castleton Fish & Game Protective Assn. Central Florida Rifle & Pistol Club Centralia Rifle Club Coastal Georgia Gun Club Cumberland Riflemen Delaware State Pistol Club, Inc. Devil's Hollow Gun Club Douglas Ridge Rifle Club & Jr Div. Downers Grove Sportsman's Club East Hook Sportsmen Assn. Inc. Eastern Nebraska Gun Club, Inc. Elgin Rifle Club, Inc. Elm City Gun Club Emerald Empire Gun Club Escondido Fish & Game Assn Estacada Rod & Gun Club Factoryville Sportsman Club Florence Gun Club, Inc.
• 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 f irearms safety to younger shooters. Encouraging them to shoot at an early age will help keep the shooting sports going for future generations.
Foosland Sportsmen Club Fort Hill Rifle and Pistol Club Franklin Revolver & Rifle Assn, Inc. Gopher Rifle & Revolver Club, Inc. Hat Creek Rifle and Pistol Club High Rock Shooting Assn, Inc. HomeSafety Academy Humboldt Rifle And Pistol Club Jefferson State Shooting Association Kalicoontie Rod & Gun Club, Inc. Kent Rod & Gun Club Kern Shooting Sports, Inc. Lafayette Gun Club Of Virginia, Inc. Martin County Sportsmen's Assn, Inc. Miamisburg Sportsmen's Club, Inc. Michigan City Rifle Club, Inc. Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club Negaunee Rod and Gun Club, Inc. Nescopeck Hunting & Rifle Club, Inc. New Milford Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. New Paltz Rod and Gun Club New Sportsman Club Northwestern Conn. Sportsmen's Assn. Northwestern Gun Club Old Post Rifle and Pistol Club Old Trails Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. Rappahannock Pistol & Rifle Club, Inc. Richwood Gun & Game Club Ridge Rifle Association Roanoke Rifle & Revolver Club
• 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.
Rochester Rod & Gun Club Sandia Gun Club, Inc. Sandusky County Sportsmen's Club Santa Clara Valley Rifle Club Scotts Valley Sportsmen's Club, Inc. Sebastopol Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. Silver State Shooting Sport Association Smith Mountain Lake Pistol Shooting Association South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Assn Southampton Pistol & Rifle Club, Inc. So. Chester Co. Sportsmen's & Farmer's Assn. Southport Gun Club, Inc. Stone Bank Sportsmen's Club, Inc. Stonycreek Shooting Center Inc. Streetsboro Sportsman Association The Great Lot Sportsman's Club, Inc. Tremont Sportsman's Club Tri-City Gun Club Twin City Rifle Club Upper Savannah Shooters Assn Van Wert Co. Outdoorsmen Assn Waldwick Pistol & Rifle Club, Inc. Walla Walla Gun Club, Inc. Waynesburg Sportsmen Association White Oak Rod and Gun Club Inc. Wilkes Barre Pistol & Rifle Club Winnequah Gun 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 an 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://clubs.nra.org/nra-gold-medal-clubs.aspx 10 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
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FIRST LIGHT : By Jon Draper, Associate Editor, NRA American Hunter
C
asey’s gaze was steady. Her form exemplary. Raising and drawing her bow, the world around her faded to black. The coyote took off, reaching full stride in mere seconds. Tracking the predator for a fraction of a moment, Casey’s trigger finger reacted on instinct and her arrow sailed and hit home. A perfect shot behind the shoulder. Under normal circumstances, Casey’s next action would be admiring a trophy and a shot few hunters ever get a chance to take, let alone make. Today, however, 15-year -old Casey would simply move on, pleased with the addition of 10 points to her score. And the coyote-on-astring target would be reset for the next hunter. The girl I just described, though fictitious, is as real as they come, and the feat she displayed occurs all across the country at various NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) events. “If they could just get off the computer and stop playing those darned
12 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
video games!” “In my day, kids played outside and actually learned something.” Despite the particulars of the criticism, we’ve all heard it at some point in our lives. The message: Today’s youth aren’t spending as much time outdoors as we did. Is there some truth to it? For sure. Is technology to blame? In part, perhaps. Have we gone past the point of no return? Are the youth of tomorrow doomed to couch-potato status? Mobile device zombies with pop culture consumer-istic dribble forced into their minds? Whoa, let’s not get carried away. While the fear of raising a generation of “indoor” children who may not chose to have hunting as a part of their lives is certainly justified, there is a segment of kids today that still see the woods as their playground and can probably teach you a thing or two about wildlife. Because for the more than 6,000 kids 18 and under participating in NRA’s
YHEC program across the country, hunting is their life. Since 1985, NRA's YHEC has been providing an exciting and practical environment for kids to develop and improve their hunting, marksmanship and safety skills. Deemed a “graduate” hunter education course, YHEC, through its simulated hunting scenarios, live-fire exercises and educational and responsibility events builds upon skills learned in basic hunter education courses and encourages safer, lifelong hunting habits. NRA’s YHEC program is developing the next generation of hunters. These are hunters who will buy licenses,
practice ethical hunting and eventually pass along their knowledge of the outdoors to the next generation. And they are impressive. While it’s true there are increasing challenges that stand in the way of youth participation in the hunting sports, technology, and in turn a lack of desire, are not solely responsible for this decline. Urbanization plays a bigger role. Places to hunt are becoming more difficult to find, and the hunting culture itself is beginning to fade. Historically, hunting was a tradition passed on to youngsters by older, experienced hunters, be they family members, mentors or friends. Unfortunately, in the technology-
filled, time-strapped world we live in, many adults, faced with longer work hours and growing costs of living, are finding it harder and harder to make time to take kids afield. Some kids, despite their interest, may be part of a family where hunting wasn’t a tradition and have no one to turn to. So, are you a parent who wishes you had more time and opportunities to share the outdoors with your children? Perhaps you work for a state game agency or are a hunter education instructor and are looking for ways to get more young people involved in the sport we love. Maybe you’re searching for ways to increase
your hunting or shooting club’s outreach to the local community. Or maybe you’re just an adult who, as a kid, realized the value of time spent with grown-ups in the field, and you want to make sure the next generation is able to enjoy the benefits of hunting and the outdoors as well. In any case, the NRA YHEC program is the answer.
This article originally appeared on AmericanHunter.org and has been reprinted with permission.
Summer 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 13
By Marianne Johnson, Program Coordinator, Eddie Eagle Gunsafe® Program
T
he Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program is very proud to have the opportunity to work with hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country on a daily basis. Every year we hear great stories of Eddie’s success and the tremendous impact on local communities. Most recently, NRA Headquarters learned about Safety Week at Winecoff Elementary School in Concord, NC. This event, coordinated by the team of 1st grade teachers at Winecoff Elementary School with the Cabarrus County Sheriff 's Office, along and several other local law enforcement agencies, come together to educate 1st grade students on safety. With firearms found in nearly 40% of all U.S. households, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program teaches kids what to do if they ever see a gun:
Stop! Don’t touch. Run away. Tell a grown-up. Students spent time each day during the week with special guests who visited their classroom to teach them about safety at school, at home, and in their community. One of the most popular visitors was Eddie Eagle! Together with Deputy Jon Page, the school resource officer at Winecoff Elementary, Eddie Eagle taught students what to do if they ever see a gun: Stop! Don’t touch. Run away. Tell a grown-up. Since receiving their mascot costume in March of 2002, through grant funding made possible by Friends of NRA through The NRA Foundation, the Cabarrus County Sheriff ’s Office has brought the Eddie Eagle program to every elementary school that has a school resource officer. “We LOVE this program.” Lt. LuAnn Andrews told the Eddie Eagle program recently.
To learn more about and view online the exciting, interactive Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program please visit the following websites: www.eddieeagle.nra.org or www.eddieeagle.com. To place an order please email eddie@nrahq.org. 14 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE Summer 2016
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By Randy Clark, Manager, Recruiting Programs
The NRA Recruiting Program continues to soar to new heights in 2016! Halfway through the year, over 400 new instructors, clubs, ranges and retailers have joined the program. These new recruiters have added thousands of new members to NRA to go with the over 160,000 members brought in by more seasoned recruiters. It’s safe to say that NRA recruiters are making an incredible impact on the strength of NRA as they are on pace to rewrite the Recruiting Programs record books. Every member will make a difference as we roll into fall and the November elections! You too can help to make a difference as well as put a few dollars back into your pocket. NRA Recruiters have put over $900,000 back into their coffers to use for club house improvements, range development, instructor materials and other vital
16 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
programs on a local level by simply asking the question “How’d you like to join NRA today?” So what are you waiting for? If you are an Instructor, own a gun shop, are part of a club or just an individual looking to make a difference, then this is the program for you. It provides a year round opportunity to raise money while strengthening the NRA; a win for everyone involved. For more information on how to join the NRA Recruiting Program call us at (800) 672-0004 (option 2), email us at recruiter@nrahq.org or visit us on the web at www.nra.org/recruiter.
Are you already a part of the NRA Recruiting Program? We’d like to hear from you too! Please email your suggestions to recruiter@nrahq.org and tell us how we can help you to recruit more members.
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NRA AD 1015
From left: Garret Spurgeon and Ginny Thrasher shooting at the 2016 NCAA Rifle Championship.
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY’s NCAA Rifle Four-Peat The WVU rifle team won an unprecedented 18th NCAA title this year— half of the total NCAA rifle championships ever held. By John Parker, Managing Editor, Shooting Sports USA
T
he legacy of outstanding rifle marksmanship continues undiminished at West Virginia University (WVU) in 2016. The team won an unprecedented 18th NCAA rifle championship, which is also the team’s fourth straight win. The Mountaineers also earned 20 total All-American honors this year. Seven team members earned a combined 13 NRA All-American awards, while seven more were named to the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) All-American Teams. Needless to say, WVU is on a roll — raising the bar in collegiate rifle shooting. The WVU rifle team is the seven-time reigning Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) champions, finishing the 2016 season with a perfect 12-0 (8-0 in conference) record. How are they so good? Let’s find out …
How They Did It
On day one at the NCAA rifle championship, senior Michael Bamsey shot a score of 587 in smallbore to place first in the open relay. Freshman Ginny Thrasher tied for second with a score of 586, while senior Meelis Kiisk shot a 584 to tie for fifth place. The trio went on to represent WVU in the individual final, with the Mountaineers claiming three of the four top spots. The NCAA smallbore title came down to the last shot between Thrasher and Kiisk, with Thrasher shooting 461.5 for the win. Kiisk’s score of 455.3 and Bamsey’s score of 435.3 placed them in second and fourth place, respectively, in the individual final. Ginny Thrasher also captured the NCAA air rifle title.
since Petra Zublasing in 2013. Additionally, Thrasher was honored with the NCAA Championships’ Top Performer Award, 2016 GARC Rookie of the Year and the conference smallbore title. As if all this isn’t enough, Thrasher qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team competing in Rio this August. Thrasher said: “The NCAA Championships were such a great experience for me. It was kind of a weird situation, because we took four seniors and myself to the championship. I was very thankful to have all the seniors there to guide me—especially after the first day when I won smallbore and needed to refocus. The seniors were monumental in helping me turn off social media and make sure I was prepared the next day to go and shoot a match the way I know I can.” When asked about her first year on the WVU team, she said, “I wanted to make my freshman year on the team one of learning for myself. At the beginning of the season, I sat down with Coach Jon Hammond and told him, ‘This is the year I want to make changes. I want to learn, and give myself the best foundation for success the rest of my career.’”
Ginny Thrasher
At NCAA rifle this year, Ginny Thrasher clinched the individual smallbore championship the first match day with a record score of 586. Thrasher is only the second WVU athlete to win both individual honors at NCAA 18 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
Ginny Thrasher
Will Anti
Will Anti started shooting when he was 10, with competition in his blood. His father, a U.S. Army Marksmanship (AMU) vet, was also a member of the WVU rifle team. At age 13 Will began competing in USA Shooting matches and NRA National Championships. The freshman did not feel he had to work harder after joining the WVU team, just differently. Anti told me, “It’s a smarter team; I had to adapt to new ways of shooting and thinking.” The team's upperclassmen provided guidance both on and off the line. “It was a really great environment, Ginny and I could not have asked for better support from our seniors,” mused Anti about the team. For air rifle, Anti shoots a Feinwerkbau 800, and a Bleiker for Smallbore 3-P. His plans for after college include joining the AMU for at least one Olympic cycle.
Michael Bamsey
Michael Bamsey was active in competitive shooting as a youth in his hometown of Cardiff, Wales. Beginning in the Boy Scout rifle program with break-barrel air rifles at six yards with knock-down targets, Bamsey progressed through the ranks to sporter air rifle, then precision air rifle, and eventually to smallbore. In addition to his dad and his little sister, Megan, he credits Jean Jenkins, a local “500-year-old” scoutmaster and rifle instructor with helping him with his junior shooting career. “Jean would stay with the people who wanted to shoot a little bit longer at practice or come a little bit early. She was very special.” Bamsey, a senior, has been on the WVU rifle team for two years since transferring from the University of Wales. His favorite memory of the team is the contrast of his two NCAA finals experiences. “In 2015, I was not on the
Summer 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 19
final relay at NCAA. So I knew how it all ended immediately. This year it was the complete opposite, and I was shooting the final relay. I did not shoot my best, and when Coach Hammond came and let me know we had won, I was so relieved.” This year, Bamsey earned NRA All-American Smallbore First Team recognition, as well as the CRCA All-American Second Team list for the second straight year. Bamsey shoots a Walther LG400 air rifle and a Grunig for smallbore.
Elizabeth Gratz
Sophomore Elizabeth Gratz appreciates being on a team where everyone is an elite competitive shooter. Gratz said, “Everyone is so good and we push each other to get better. I’ve been lucky to have upperclassmen that I can count on for support,” a feeling echoed by other younger shooters on the team. Gratz got her start in air gun with her county 4-H, eventually progressing to smallbore rifle. With the support of friends and family, Gratz has shot the NRA National Metric Championship the past few years, and was even at the last NRA Smallbore Championship at Camp Perry. She enjoys the NRA championships in Bristol, IN, and looks forward to traveling there this summer. “I liked the opportunity to shoot at [Camp] Perry, but I like Bristol. People should embrace the change.” When asked about her favorite memory from her time so far on the WVU rifle team she said, “Last year’s NCAA finals stand out to me, because it was more of a comeback." WVU was behind on day one in 2015. "I was watching
West Virginia University rifle team Coach Jon Hammond in front of the trophy display case at the WVU rifle range. 20 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • Summer 2016
the results on a computer monitor." Gratz added, “This year in Akron at NCAA was even better because I was there to watch in person.” Gratz’s performance this season earned her NRA All-American Rifle First Team honors. She would like to continue competing after college.
J.P. Lucas
J.P. Lucas was influenced to become a competitive shooter by his father, an avid action shooter. The Spears, PA, native got his first gun on his very first birthday — a present from dad. “I have been shooting since I was a little kid,” he said when asked how he got his start in competitions. Lucas began smallbore 3-P and air rifle competition his senior year of high school, and by the time he made it to WVU he was active on the club rifle team. He would redshirt his freshman year — his dedication to the sport paying off. Now a junior, Lucas earned a spot on the 2016 NRA All-American Air Rifle Honorable Mention squad for the second straight year, as well as NRA All-American Smallbore First Team. For smallbore Lucas shoots a Bleiker, and just recently switched to a Pardini from an Anschutz for air rifle.
Meelis Kissk
Meelis Kiisk hails from Paide, Estonia, a small town of 9000 people. When he was 11, he checked out the local shooting club in the basement of his school. In 2006, he graduated and progressed onto the Estonian Junior Championships. He was lucky to have a shooting club with an outdoor range close to where he lived. “I had an
outdoor range where I could shoot 50 meters a few miles from my house. That helped a lot,” he said when asked how he was able to practice. A redshirt senior, Kiisk has been at WVU for five years — mostly because he is a computer science and electrical engineering double major. One of his favorite memories is from this year’s NCAA championship. “I enjoyed a team exercise we did the night before air rifle at NCAA. It summarized for me the support of our team, the bonding of our smaller tighter knit group made this last year great.” Since Kiisk is the only one that has been on the team for five years now, he has seen a lot. “My first year we had eight new team members; we were a very young team. It has been very interesting to see how team dynamics work up close, and to see how the team progressed over the years.” Kiisk feels the skills shooting has taught him will help off the range as well. “A lot of what I have learned about sports psychology has made me a better test-taker and pay better attention in lectures. I am already using these skills in other areas of life as well. I’m sure I’ll utilize these skills in the future. A WVU rifle team co-captain, Kiisk earned NRA AllAmerican Air Rifle Second Team and also Smallbore First Team recognition for his efforts in 2016. Married with two children, he plans to find a job and would like to keep on competing as long as he can after college.
Garrett Spurgeon
Senior Garrett Spurgeon has been on the WVU rifle team all four years of his collegiate career. He began his shooting career with 4-H in Canton, MO, eventually moving on to NRA regionals. In high school he competed at Camp Perry, where he was coached by his father. “Dad read a lot about shooting, and was my coach until I came to WVU.” Although he did not shoot on a formal team before coming to WVU, it was a pleasant transition for him. “It was easy for me to walk on to the team because they accepted me with open arms.” When asked what stood out the most to him during his four-year career at WVU, Spurgeon said, “Coming off the line and talking to the Coach after winning each of our four NCAA finals is what stood out the most.” Garrett Spurgeon was named to the NRA All-American Air Rifle and Smallbore First Teams, as well as the CRCA All-American First Team. Spurgeon concludes his shooting career at WVU with 11 total All-American honors. Spurgeon shoots an Anschutz 9003 for air rifle, and an Anschutz Precise for smallbore.
Patrick Sunderman
Senior Patrick Sunderman first began shooting in the basement of an American Legion club in Farmington, MN, shooting 3-P air gun. He progressed to precision air
gun and eventually smallbore rifle, shooting quite a few NRA matches along the way. His parents and his sister were very supportive of his shooting career. “They always did whatever they could to support me.” Sunderman said this year’s NCAA championship win was his favorite memory of his four years on the WVU rifle team. “It was very rewarding to work hard for that, and to be there knowing that I contributed to the win.” Sunderman earned NRA All-American Air Rifle First Team this year for the first time. For air rifle and smallbore Sunderman shoots a Feinwerkbau for both. He is in the process of transferring from the Army National Guard to active-duty, as he has recently accepted an offer to shoot for the AMU. He looks forward to his future at Fort Benning, “I can’t wait for the school year to finish so I can get started with the AMU.”
Coach Jon Hammond
The Aberdeen, Scotland, native has been at the helm of the WVU rifle team for 10 years. The results of Coach Hammond’s style speak for themselves: this was WVU’s fifth NCAA rifle championship under his leadership. Since 1980, only two NCAA programs have won four or more straight titles. WVU had a six year championship run from 1988-93, and four straight in 1995-98. When told that each team member interviewed mentioned their teammates and coach, along with family and friends, as part of their support system, Coach Hammond said, “That is something we try to impress on them. I think it’s more of a challenge for us than others because it is an individual sport and a team sport. I enjoy working with such high level athletes, because you can get more involved in details and technique with them.” Regarding the recent accomplishments of his team, Coach Hammond said, “I think they all still have lots to learn. Even if they are All-Americans or international competitors, they are still looking to improve and get better consistency-wise. I try to produce an atmosphere that is conducive to their goals and those of the team.” Coach Hammond shared an anecdote about a moment he will never forget. “It was during my first NCAA rifle championship as coach of the team. We were in sixth place after the first day, then we had a pretty huge comeback the second day. We weren’t the favorites going into that championship, so there was a lot of emotion after we won.”
Learn more about the WVU rifle team at wvurifle.com.
Summer 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 21
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Summer 2016 • NRA SPORTS MAGAZINE • 23
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NRA Affiliated State Associations AL STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N 2009 Rogers Dr Huntsville, AL 35811 256-534-7968 Website currently unavailable
ID STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N PO Box 140293 Boise, ID 83714-4183 208-452-4183 www.idahosrpa.org
MN RIFLE & REVOLVER ASS'N, INC. 4737 CR 101, Box 114 Minnetonka, MN 55345-2634 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 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 74424 New River, AZ 85087 623-687-4251 www.asrpa.com
IN STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N, INC. 7527 State Route 56 W Rising Sun, IN 47040 812-534-3258 www.isrpa.org
MO SPORT SHOOTING ASS’N 6140 N. Wagontrail Rd Columbia, MO 65202-9658 314-440-3811 www.missourisportshooting.org
AR RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N P.O. Box 2348 Conway, AR 72033 501-327-4702 www.arpa-online.org
IA STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N 240 Prospect Road North Liberty, IA 52317-9660 319-626-2710 www.iasrpa.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 609 W Littleton Blvd Ste 206 Littleton, CO 80120 303-663-9339 www.cssa.org
L OF KY SPORTSMEN, INC. 1116 Hume Road Lexington, KY 40516 859-351-7113 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 302-475-4228 www.dssa.us
(ME) PINE TREE STATE R&P ASS'N, INC PO Box 373 Yarmouth, ME 04096 207-882-4713 www.mainerpa.org
ASS'N OF NJ R&P CLUBS, INC. 5 Sicomac Rd Ste 292 North Haledon, NJ 07508 973-697-9270 www.anjrpc.org
FL SPORT SHOOTING ASS'N, INC. 5915 Viking Rd Orlando, FL 32808 407-295-5115 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 PO Box 1733 Macon, GA 31202 478-955-7068 www.gssa.info
(MA) GUN OWNERS’ ACTION L 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 • 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 4834 Van Buren Ave Ogden, UT 84403 801-499-9763 www.usrpa.org
OH RIFLE & PISTOL ASS’N 6116 Misty Creek Dr Loveland, OH 45140 513-426-7944 www.orpa.net
VT FED'N OF SPRTMN’S CLUBS, INC. 16 Millstone Blvd Barre, VT 05641 802-272-8544 www.vtfsc.org
OK RIFLE ASS'N P.O. Box 850927 Yukon, OK 73085-0927 405-324-2450 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 34423 Brewster Rd Lebanon, OR 97333 541-409-3358 www.ossa.org
WA STATE R&P ASS'N, INC. 17541 Fremont Ave N Shore Line, WA 98113 206-427-8257 www.wsrpa.net
PA RIFLE & PISTOL ASS'N 1573 Chestnut Grove Hwy Grampian, PA 16838 814-236-0708 www.pennarifleandpistol.org
WV SRPA P.O. Box 120 Eleanor, WV 25070 304-586-3116 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 888-337-3534 www.wisconsinforce.org
RI 2ⁿd AMENDMENT COALITION 928 Atwood Ave Johnston, RI 02919 401-944-1600 www.ri2nd.org
WY STATE SHOOTING ASS'N, INC. 625 Sweetwater St Lander, WY 82520-3044 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 615-491-2633 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
NRA Field Representative Directory EASTERN REGION Eastern Regional Director
Bryan Hoover
Area 1 (ME, NH, VT)
Brian Smith
bhoover@nrahq.org bsmith@nrahq.org
Area 2 (NY) Jay Rusnock
jrusnock@nrahq.org
Area 3 (CT, MA, RI, NJ, Lower NY)
Jim Reardon
jreardon@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)
Jim Kilgore
jkilgore@nrahq.org
Area 12 (Southern OH)
Andrew Root
aroot@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
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)
Gregg Pearre
gpearre@nrahq.org
Area 23 (IA, NE)
Tim Bacon
tbacon@nrahq.org
Area 51 (MI) Allan Herman Area 52 (Southern IL)
aherman@nrahq.org
Donald Higgs
dhiggs@nrahq.org
Southern Regional Director
Al Hammond
ahammond@nrahq.org
Area 8 (Eastern NC)
Lloyd Edwards
ledwards@nrahq.org
Area 9 (SC)
Freeman Coleman
fcoleman@nrahq.org
SOUTHERN REGION
Area 10 (GA) Neely Raper Area 11 (Northern FL)
Bret Eldridge
Area 16 (LA) Chad Bowen Area 22 (AL, MS)
Gene Newman
Area 42 (Western NC)
Robert Doug Merrill
nraper@nrahq.org beldridge@nrahq.org cbowen@nrahq.org gnewman@nrahq.org dmerrill@nrahq.org
Area 43 (TN) Mike Webb
mwebb@nrahq.org
Area 48 (Southern FL)
tknight@nrahq.org
Tom Knight
NRA Clubs & Associations • 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
ddelong@nrahq.org
Area 24 (KS) Christine Sharp
csharp@nrahq.org
Area 25 (Northern TX)
Terry Free
tfree@nrahq.org
Area 26 (Southern TX)
Liz Foley
lfoley@nrahq.org
Area 27 (NM) Kevin Post
kpost@nrahq.org
Area 30 (CO) Brad Dreier
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) David Manzer
dmanser@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)
Clay Pederson
cpedersen@nrahq.org
Area 53 (Northern AK)
Josh Toennessen
jtoennessen@nrahq.org
SOUTHWESTERN REGION Southwestern Regional Director
Jason Quick
jquick@nrahq.org
Area 6 (NV) Steve Wilson
swilson@nrahq.org
Area 31 (AZ) Winston Pendelton
wpendelton@nrahq.org
Area 32 (UT) John Kendall
jkendall@nrahq.org
Area 35 (Northern CA)
Daniel Wilhelm
dwilhelm@nrahq.org
Area 36 (Southern CA)
Mike Davis
mdavis@nrahq.org
Area 37 (Central CA)
Paul Rodarmel
prodarmel@nrahq.org
Area 46 (Eastern CA)
Cole Beverly
cbeverly@nrahq.org
Area 50 (Mid California)
Bob Anderson
banderson@nrahq.org
NRA Clubs & Associations • 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 • clubs.nra.org
Nonprofit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID Dulles, VA Permit No. 67
Recreational Programs & Ranges 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, VA 22030 m a g a z i n e
Club Leadership Development O
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Is your club looking for new leadership? Are you a current club officer and need an update? Check out the NEW 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.
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