As National Shooting Sports month continues through August, the ongoing celebration of America’s outdoor sporting heritage is expected to resonate with the firearms community. The diverse reach and wide-ranging appeal of the shooting sports, however, may come as more of a surprise to some and are worth celebrating year-round.
Demystifying the shooting sports over the years has invigorated the movement, and activities designed for National Shooting Sports Month are poised to pay ongoing dividends. Shooting sports continue to increase in popularity and are becoming more mainstream, as evidenced by growth in the utilization of shooting-based activities in new ways by non-traditional participants.
For example, the world of fundraisers, corporate outings, and team-building activities is evolving to include shooting sports as a mainstay. A quick glance at upcoming sporting clays events on various gun club sites will show sessions sponsored by an impressive variety of groups such as Rotary Clubs, Catholic schools and charities, various trade associations, legal associations, the “Big Three” automotive groups, the United States Postal Service, a bankruptcy association, a dental society, an asphalt company, high school booster clubs, a teen pregnancy center, The Optimist Club, and various memorial shoots among many others. The widespread appeal of gathering with friends, colleagues, and like-minded community members to bust clays and enjoy the outdoors is undeniable.
Many gun and sportsmen’s clubs are now offering turnkey packages for team building and networking outings. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the founder and pioneer of National Shooting Sports month over nine years ago, has set up a toolkit with a step-by-step guide and promotional materials to help run successful shooting events. The success of these efforts speaks for itself.
Sporting clays events are leading the way as exceptionally popular with their engaging and easily accessible appeal attracting diverse audiences of all ages and skill levels. And while shooting sports, in general, are becoming a popular choice for initiatives far outside the normal shooting communities, they are also evolving from recreational hobby to recognized athletic disciplines in many places.
National Shooting Sports Foundation estimates from over the years anticipate that over 56 million adults and youth will participate in some recreational shooting activity in the month of August. Imagine the lasting effects potentially inspired by one of these outings where a first-time participant pulls the trigger, watches a clay turn to dust, and unexpectedly discovers a new passion for the shooting sports. For more ideas on how to engage during National Shooting Sports month, the NRA Women website offers some great suggestions.
President Trump’s recent presidential message dedicated to National Shooting Sports Month also reminds us of the importance of the “legacy of recreation and competition” with a pledge to not only keep them alive but to ensure they flourish for future generations. He pays important homage to the Second Amendment not only as our constitutional right but as the foundation for our shooting sports legacy:
Since the ratification of the Second Amendment in 1791, shooting sports have instilled the values of focus, discipline, and confidence in our citizens—connecting generations, binding together communities, and reminding us of the freedoms that define our Republic. Sports like hunting and fishing also provide a glimpse into the beauties of God’s creation and allow countless Americans to experience the splendors of the great outdoors. For as long as I am President, the Federal Government will abide by the premise that the God-given right to bear arms shall not be infringed.
Nationwide, as dozens of governors on both sides of the political aisle additionally issue official proclamations in support of National Shooting Sports Month, NRA-ILA continues the work alongside the shooting sports community to preserve our Second Amendment freedoms. As the shooting sports continue to expand and diversify, the work to protect the tools and opportunities for engagement becomes ever more critical.
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