Fear & Loading: HAVA Continues to Grow

by
posted on July 4, 2018
hava.png

The continuing success of Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) should be a source of pride for all gun owners. It was founded by executives in the firearm business and its sustaining sponsor companies today are a veritable “who’s who” in the industry—Smith & Wesson, National Shooting Sports Foundation, SIG Sauer, ACADEMI, Arnold Defense, Crimson Trace, Vista Outdoor/Federal, FMG Publications, Glock, Hornady, Leapers/UTG, Leupold & Stevens, Mossberg, National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers, Ruger, Surefire, Taurus, XS Sights and Yamaha Outdoors.

On June 16 the organization held its 7th Annual HAVA/ACADEMI Family Day in Moyock, N.C., where it hosted more than 300 disabled veterans, family members and volunteers for a day of activities. Gift bags and a free raffle prize table featured nearly $10,000 worth of merchandise donated by the shooting sports industry.

“Since 2012, HAVA and ACADEMI have annually hosted hundreds of veteran family members at our Family Days,” said Tom Taylor, HAVA Chairman. “We are the veteran-support voice of the shooting sports industry who is committed to helping veterans recover from injury and are dedicated to the ongoing support that these American heroes have earned in defense of freedom. HAVA is in our 11th year of service to veterans and our sponsoring industry continues to increase their support levels.”

There’s more to the non-profit organization than annual gatherings, though. Learn to Shoot Again—one of its latest efforts that matches firearm instructors with disabled students—is growing its footprint, thanks to a cooperative effort with the Boy Scouts of America Florida Division.

At the initial training event in early June, 19 disabled veterans participated in pistol and transition drills at the Hernando County Shooting Complex, and plans are already being made to expand. Even those who oppose the Right to Keep and Bear Arms would be hard pressed indicting a cooperative program of this magnitude—one that not only benefits those who served in uniform, but also heightens awareness about disability and its day-to-day challenges in our nation’s next generation of leaders.

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.