August Is National Shooting Sports Month

by
posted on July 11, 2019
shooting-sports-month-small.jpg

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

August is almost here—otherwise known as “National Shooting Sports Month,” designated so three years ago by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Whether through target shooting at a favorite range, plinking in a backyard with friends and family, competing in a match or preparing for the fall hunting season, the month-long celebration acknowledges a common passion, and calls for welcoming and mentoring new shooters into the fold as we promote safe participation in all firearm-related activities.

Now the NRA—which has long promoted mentorship for those entering the shooting sports—is lending its support to this initiative, partnering with NSSF as it encourages shooting ranges, firearm retailers, public and private shooting clubs, shooting sports organizations and fish and wildlife agencies to collectively focus their attention on the fun and excitement of target shooting. To this end, hundreds of events are planned nationwide, along with many “Gearbox Giveaways.” 

NRA welcomes the opportunity to partner with NSSF on this initiative, as it speaks to the core mission of NRA and its members,” said Joe DeBergalis, executive director, NRA General Operations. “Anyone who was mentored into the shooting sports understands how important it is to pay it forward, and should invite others to share in the enjoyment of firearms and hunting. It is through our qualified mentorship of newcomers that our passion and pastime will live on indefinitely.”

It’s easy to take part in this initiative. Here’s how: 

  • Join fellow sportsmen and sportswomen at the range in August for some well-deserved trigger time. Find a range near you with this NRA search tool
  • Become an active participant in NSSF’s +ONE Movement, a nationwide campaign working to advance mentorship in hunting and the shooting sports by encouraging experienced shooters, hunters and firearm owners to take a new shooter to the range or field and allow them to experience first-hand what makes these pastimes so enjoyable. 
  • Go to LetsGoShooting.org to discover the ranges and retailers in your area for this year’s celebration.
  • Participate in NRA’s Mentor Initiative, launched in 2015, which asks all NRA members to make a date to take new shooters to the range. 
  • Download a copy of “NRA Guide For New Shooters” 
  • Learn about NRA American Hunter’s “Join the Hunt” initiative in which the focus is to offer guidance to the many Americans who may become hunters but lack a proper introduction to this pastime.
  • Log on to NRA Shooting Sports USA’s “Coming Events” page for NRA-sanctioned competitive shooting matches.
  • Be an NRA Recruiter—NRA has room for all types of people to recruit new members. Read the descriptions and decide which one sounds the most like you. 
  • Become an NRA Instructor and reap the rewards of training and mentoring new shooters.
  • Volunteer for NRA in your community.
  • Participate in one of NRA's many women’s programs, like the Women’s Wildnerness Escape or a Women on Target Instructional Shooting Clinic.
  • Attend a local Friends of NRA event.
  • Build the next generation of hunters by signing your child up for the Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC). 




For more, visit NSSF.org and NRA.org


ABOUT NSSF

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. 

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.