August is National Shooting Sports Month, a time to celebrate one of America’s great pastimes — target shooting — a safe, fun activity enjoyed by millions of people across the country, with millions more wanting to take their first shots.
Research by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) indicates 24 million Americans are keenly interested in learning about the shooting sports. There are dozens of activities from which to choose, from hitting steel targets with handguns and rifles to breaking clay targets in the shotgun sports of trap, skeet and sporting clays.
“The shooting sports truly offer something for everyone,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president and CEO. “A day at the range gives people an opportunity to tune out distractions, learn a new skill, socialize and share their experiences.”
“One of the many people interested in trying target shooting may well be in your family — a daughter, son or spouse — or a friend just waiting for you to ask them to spend a day at the range,” said NSSF’s Zach Snow, Director of Shooting Range Services. “Extend that invitation — you’ll be glad you did.”
Shooting ranges work with newcomers and can help those with interest get started with safe, supervised instruction.
Go here to find an event or other information.
It is important to recognize that recreational shooting as well as hunting and fishing generate vital funding for conservation. Revenue from an 11 percent excise tax on the sale of all firearms and ammunition is directly forwarded to conservation projects. As of 2017, such taxes topped $20 billion for conservation.
(Photo source: National Shooting Sports Foundation)