The NRA Foundation Board of Trustees has approved a $252,000 grant for USA Shooting to purchase the specific shotshells used by the National Team, National Development Team and National Junior Team. Athletes training and competing in International Skeet and Trap events use an international load, which is difficult to obtain under normal circumstances, and the scarcity worsened during the ammunition shortage.
"For decades, The NRA Foundation has provided essential funding to benefit the shooting sports," said Tyler Schropp, executive director of The NRA Foundation. "When we were approached with this opportunity, it just made sense. Thanks to our generous and committed donors, we are able to fulfill this urgent need of America’s aspiring Olympians."
USA Shooting athletes won a total of six medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with four captured in Olympic shotgun events—Skeet (two gold), Trap (silver) and Mixed Team Trap (bronze). This grant will provide the shotgun team with critical resources needed to continue its winning momentum in preparation for the 2022 World Championships and beyond.
"The last three years have posed tremendous challenges to our sport in the form of event cancellations, the postponement of the Olympics and severe supply chain constraints on ammunition," said Buddy DuVall, USA Shooting chief marketing officer. "We are thrilled to be partnering with The NRA Foundation to provide the very best training and competition ammunition to the shotgun team that has won 30 medals this year in World Cup competitions."
The NRA Foundation was established in 1990 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related, public-interest activities of the National Rifle Association and other organizations that defend the Second Amendment.
"We look forward to partnering with The NRA Foundation in the future on the shared goal of growing the shooting sports and putting American shooting athletes on the Olympic podium," DuVall said.