NRA grant funds aid department’s gun safety and target-shooting education programs

The Arizona Friends of the NRA (National Rifle Association) and the NRA Foundation recently awarded the Arizona Game and Fish Department $16,000 in grant funds to purchase shotguns and small caliber rifles, which will be used by certified instructors to teach firearm safety and introductory target shooting programs to youth.

Youth shotguns and .22-caliber single-shot rifles will be purchased and packaged into “kits” that can be used by the department’s shooting staff, education branch, and partnered user groups to educate the public about firearm safety, marksmanship, as well as the traditions and benefits of shooting sports, hunting and fishing.

“Having these “kits” of quality firearms at our disposal is a great asset and allows us additional resources to conduct target shooting events throughout the state,” says Anthony Chavez, the department’s statewide shooting ranges administrator. “We [Arizona Game and Fish] get many requests from organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America as well as local conservation and sportsmen groups, to host target shooting events. Unfortunately in the past, the lack of equipment has limited our ability to meet every need of these interested groups.”

Target shooting is self-rewarding, builds hand-eye coordination skills, and teaches patience, discipline, and the understanding and respect for firearms. Shooting sports and hunting are rated among the safest forms of recreation. Some 40 million people of all ages safely participate in these activities. However, research shows there are nearly 48 million men and women who are interested in shooting and are simply waiting for an invitation — grants of this kind will assist the department’s already successful shooting education programs.

The Arizona Friends of NRA and the NRA Foundation have awarded the department financial grants in the past. Some of the department-run programs that have benefited from these types of grants include the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), First Shots, Trailblazer Adventure Day, Step Outside, and Hunter Education classes. To find out more about programs like these, visit www.azgfd.gov/education. 

To learn more about the benefits and safety of target shooting and shooting sports come to the Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo at Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix (northwest corner of I-17 and Carefree Highway) March 29-30. There will be hands-on instruction on how to shoot a bow and arrow, pellet rifles, rimfire rifles, shotguns and much more. There will also be demonstrations, exhibits and live wildlife on hand. For more details, visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.