The Keefe Report: A Guide For New Shooters

by
posted on April 24, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
guideshoot.jpg

Introducing friends, family members or colleagues to the shooting sports in a safe, comfortable and controlled environment is something a lot of gun owners talk about, but we here at NRA Publications take steps to help you do something about it. Please take time to read the below from NRA Publications Executive Director Doug Hamlin:

Dear Fellow Member:

Each year, thousands of Americans purchase their first firearm. While they enter into gun ownership with the best intentions, we all know that they could benefit from sound advice and training. It is in this spirit that we ask all NRA members to mentor our less experienced friends, family members and colleagues. Over the last four years, NRA Publications has sponsored an initiative for NRA members to take a new shooter to a range during the month of May. This year, we’ve partnered with Taurus, Walker’s, Davidson’s and Remington to continue the success of this NRA Mentor Initiative.

Inside this issue, you will find details of the NRA Mentor Initiative along with instructions to download a PDF version of the Guide For New Shooters. This valuable resource provides helpful advice on how to get started, firearm safety, gear, shooting tips, gun cleaning and storage.

Take the time to identify and encourage these shooters to enroll with local NRA Certified Instructors for expert training (nrainstructors.org). Foster a culture of firearm safety and help them find places to shoot that are safe and welcoming. Most of all, have fun introducing the sports you love and want to share.

You’ve helped add thousands of new members to NRA with your mentoring efforts, so we know that every new shooter is a prime candidate to become an NRA member. You can tell newcomers to call (800) 977-4672 or go online to membership.nra.org.

Please join me in becoming an NRA mentor!

Sincerely,
Doug Hamlin
Executive Director, NRA Publications

Latest

Icarry Taurus TX9 Compact 1
Icarry Taurus TX9 Compact 1

I Carry: Taurus TX9 Compact in a Galco Holster

In our latest "I Carry" segment, we pair the new Taurus TX9 Compact with a leather Stow-N-Go holster from Galco, Inc. This compact, concealed-carry kit is rounded out with an Xolotl automatic knife produced by CRKT.

The Armed Citizen® March 13, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: Canik USA MC9 Prime

Canik USA built out its concealed-carry handgun lineup with the MC9 Prime, which is a larger, yet still slim, CCW gun that sits in the same category as other upsized micro-compacts.

U.S. Army Awards Mossberg Contract for Additional 590A1 Pump-Action Shotguns

The U.S. Army has awarded O.F. Mossberg & Sons a contract for approximately $11.6 million dollars to supply the U.S. Army with additional Mossberg 590A1 pump-action shotguns.

250 Years of the U.S. Army: Bolt-Actions & Semi-Automatics on the Battlefield

In just a few decades, the U.S. Army would see itself go from a single-shot, blackpowder design in the form of the Trapdoor Springfield to a modern, semi-automatic fighting rifle in the M1 Garand.

Modernized & Economical Muzzleloaders: The CVA Optima XP & XP-SB

CVA's longest-lasting muzzleloader design, the Optima, has been updated in 2026 with "modern ergonomics and modularity."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.