Ben Avery Hosts Open Range Day for Disabled Shooters
One of our readers recently observed: “You know there’s so much negative news about the economy, gun laws etc., we need to read something positive to keep things in balance. Why don’t you guys do a ‘good news’ story every week in the Daily Bulletin?”
Good suggestion! Here’s an item that we think has a positive slant — a new shooting program for shooters with physical impairments….
Open Range Day for Disabled Shooters
On April 11, the NRA, lead by Disabled Shooting Services Manager Vanessa Warner, is hosting a first-ever “Open Range Day” at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. This event is the latest program offered by the National Rifle Association’s Disabled Shooting Services. The day will focus on introductory shooting for people with physical disabilities. Open Range Day will offer shotgun, rifle, pistol, and air rifle instruction. Warner expects around 80 participants for the inaugural event. “This is a pilot program for what we hope to expand to a national program,” Warner said.
Warner has secured the support of Colt Defense, Ruger Firearms, White Flyer Target, Remington, Kowa Optimed, Birchwood Casey, Davidson’s, Beeman, and Lapua. “We’re still accepting door prize donations,” Warner said.
The event is the first of its kind and will give participants the opportunity to fire a wide variety of firearms. NRAblog.com plans to report live from the event. For more information about Open Range Day or other services for disabled shooters, call Vanessa Warner at NRA Headquarters, (703) 267-1495, or e-mail disabled_shooting@nrahq.org.
Bob Foth Hired as Paralympic Shooting Coach
In related matters, USA Shooting announced the hiring of Olympic silver medalist Bob Foth as its new Paralympic Shooting Coach and Program Manager. A three-time Olympian in rifle, Foth brings a tremendous amount of experience to his new position. He began shooting competitively in 1972 and won numerous national and international medals during his shooting career. He was part of several world champion teams and set six world records. He joined the USA Shooting staff as Youth Programs and Coach Development Manager in 2006 and assumed his new role as Paralympic Coach/Manager on April 6, 2009. Foth will join Warner and NRAblog at the Ben Avery Shooting Complex in Phoenix on April 11 for Open Range Day.
