Well folks, today is the first day of August, National Shooting Sports Month (NSSM). To help grow the shooting sports, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) asks you to bring a new shooter to the range this month. That’s a good mission — adding to the ranks of shooters is the best way to preserve our Second Amendment rights.
This coast-to-coast celebration spotlights the fun and enjoyment of target shooting. Newcomers can take their first shots, and experienced shooters can invite someone new to the range or help an erstwhile shooter rediscover the fun of target shooting. This month-long event involves all the shooting sports — rifle, pistol, and shotgun.
The NSSF has an online database of NSSM shooting events scheduled for August. In most states you’ll find a large number of August events in the database — matches, clinics, training sessions, special sales — and much more. To see the events in your region, go to the Shooting Events Page and select a state or put a ZIP Code in the search field on the right. The scheduled events will then be listed in a scrolling vertical list in the right column. Here is an example from the state of Texas:
Here’s Your Chance to Win $500 with 2024 #RangeChallenge
Feelin’ Lucky? Then head to the range and shoot a target for a change to win $500.00. Celebrate National Shooting Sports Month and take the #RangeChallenge for a chance to win rewards this month. The NSSF will randomly select 10 winners in August to each receive a $500 gift card!
Enter by either: (1) posting a photo or video of you and your target to Instagram accompanied with the #RangeChallenge hashtag; or (2) Uploading a photo of you and your target directly to the Sweepstakes Page. You can CLICK HERE to download official August 2024 Range Challenge Target.
FREE Downloadable Fun Targets for Shooting Sports Month
On the NSSF Shooter Toolkit Page, you’ll find 17 FREE Downloadable Targets. Shown below are 15 of the targets. Pick the target(s) you want on the Shooter Toolkit Page or Download all 17 FREE Targets.
There are regular bullseyes, as well as Darts, Golf, and more. We really like the Billiards target and kids love the Water Balloons target. You can download all 17 targets for free, and then print them out, ideally with a color printer.
What Shooters Can Do to Promote National Shooting Sports Month:
The NSSF says: “As shooters, you serve a critical role in the continued growth of gun ownership and shooting sports participation. We urge you to join us this August for National Shooting Sports Month.” There are a variety of ways you can help this August:
— Introduce a family member, friend, or group of friends to the shooting sports by taking them to a local range that’s hosting an event.
— Spread the word to family/friends and encourage them to get out to the range in August.
— Encourage the ranges and retailers near you to host an event this August and add them to the official events calendar at www.ShootingSportsMonth.org.
Tomorrow is the first day of August, the beginning of National Shooting Sports Month (NSSM). Each August, throughout the month, America’s shooters come together to celebrate our sport and get newcomers involved. To help grow the ranks of shooters, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) asks you to bring a new shooter to the range in August. That’s a good mission — adding to the ranks of shooters is the best way to preserve our Second Amendment rights.
This coast-to-coast celebration spotlights the fun and enjoyment of target shooting. Newcomers can take their first shots, and experienced shooters can invite someone new to the range or help an erstwhile shooter rediscover the fun of target shooting. This month-long event involves all the shooting sports — rifle, pistol, and shotgun.
Find Shooting Sports Events Near You
The NSSF’s ShootingSportsMonth.org website offers a comprehensive, searchable database. This lets you search by state, to find ranges, events, and sales promotions near you. Visit the NSSF online database of NSSM shooting events to find matches, clinics, training sessions, special sales — and much more.
Great FREE Targets for Fun at the Range
To promote National Shooting Sports Month, the NSSF offers 17 FREE Downloadable Targets. There are regular bullseyes, as well as Darts, Golf, and more. We really like the Billiards target and kids love the Water Balloons target. You can download all 17 targets for free, and then print them out, ideally with a color printer. Below are six of our favorite targets. Click HERE to download these six targets (3.5 mb ZIP).
What Shooters Can Do to Promote National Shooting Sports Month:
The NSSF says: “As shooters, you serve a critical role in the continued growth of gun ownership and shooting sports participation. We urge you to join us this August for National Shooting Sports Month.” There are a variety of ways you can help this August:
— Introduce a family member, friend, or group of friends to the shooting sports by taking them to a local range that’s hosting an event.
— Spread the word to family/friends and encourage them to get out to the range in August.
— Encourage the ranges and retailers near you to host an event this August and add them to the official events calendar at www.ShootingSportsMonth.org.
OK guys, you probably want to keep this page confidential. Your spouse probably doesn’t want to be reminded about all the times you ignored the “Honey Do” list and headed off to the range instead. And she certainly doesn’t want to know how much you spend every year on your gun hobby.
Answer these two polls to see how dedicated (or should we say “obsessed”) a gun guy you really are. Once you vote you can see how your shooting (and spending) habits compare to other readers. Full results display after you select an answer and click the “Vote” button.
Click to vote in our current Readers’ polls.
Click “View Results” to see what other readers have selected.
The rifle cartridge money clip was a real product from ReleaseMeCreations.com (now sold out). You can, of course, make your own cartridge money clip with a Dremel tool for free.
The 2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury commenced Monday, July 22, with the First Shot Ceremony and the start of the NRA National Precision Pistol Championships. Now in its fourth year at Camp Atterbury, the 2024 NRA National Matches will continue until the close of the NRA High Power Long-Range National Championships on Monday, August 19. Camp Atterbury is a National Guard training facility in Indiana located about 37 miles south of Indianapolis.
2023 NRA National Matches First Shot. (Photo by Cole McCulloch).
During the opening ceremony at Camp Atterbury, Indiana Congressman Greg Pence gave the keynote address. NRA Board Member and Indiana State Representative Craig Haggard (shown above) also spoke and then fired the ceremonial First Shot to commence the event.
Greg Pence is the U.S. representative for Indiana’s sixth congressional district and lives in Columbus, Indiana, located about 14 miles from Camp Atterbury. “Camp Atterbury is in my district,” Pence said. “[As a representative in Congress], I plan to maintain the support and advocacy for the Second Amendment, as well as for the NRA.”
Precision Pistol shooters on the firing line at Camp Atterbury during the practice session for the 2024 NRA Precision Pistol Nationals on the first day of the 2024 NRA National Matches. (Photo by Cole McCulloch)
NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury, Indiana
The NRA first moved its National High Power Rifle Championships to Camp Atterbury in 2017, with the National Precision Pistol Championships and National Smallbore Rifle Championships making their home at the National Guard base two years later. Now the NRA National matches represent one of the two biggest summer shooting events of the year, along with along with the CMP National Matches at Camp Perry. For more information, click the links below.
The 2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury — including the Precision Pistol, Smallbore Rifle, and High Power Rifle National Championships — begin Monday, July 22, and conclude Monday, August 19. The 2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury will begin with the Precision Pistol Nationals, followed by the Smallbore Rifle Nationals, and then the High Power Rifle Nationals.
2024 NRA National Matches Schedule
Precision Pistol (July 22 – 25)
July 22 – Opening Ceremony, Practice, Prelim Match, Harry Reeves Match
July 23 – .22 Championship, .22 EIC
July 24 – Centerfire Championship, Service Pistol EIC
July 25 – .45 Championship, Distinguished Revolver, Awards Ceremony
Smallbore Rifle Prone and F-Class (July 28 – August 1)
July 28 – Squadded practice, Metallic Sights Day One
July 29 – Metallic Sights Day Two
July 30 – Randle, Dewar, Team Matches
July 31 – Any Sights Day One
August 1 – Any Sights Day Two, Awards Ceremony
Smallbore Rifle Three-Position (August 2 – 4)
August 2 – Metallic Sights
August 3 – Drew Cup Team Match, Team Matches
August 4 – Any Sights, Awards Ceremony
High Power Rifle OTC (August 5 – 10)
August 6 – Member’s Trophy, Scott Trophy, Coast Artillery Trophy Matches
August 7 – Navy Cup, Army Cup, Coast Guard Trophy Matches
August 8 – Appreciation Cup, Marine Corps Cup, Air Force Cup Matches
August 9 – Crescent Cup, Cavalry Cup, Crowell Trophy Matches, Awards Ceremony
August 10 – EIC Leg Match
High Power Rifle Mid-Range (August 11 – 14)
August 11 – 300, 500, 600 yards, 600-yard Teams
August 12 – 3×600 yards, 600-yard Teams
August 13 – 300, 500, 600 yards, 600-yard Teams
August 14 – 3×600 yards, Awards Ceremony
High Power Rifle Long-Range (August 16 – 19)
August 16 – Wimbledon Cup, Rem Trophy, Porter Trophy, Andrus Trophy, Herrick Trophy Team Matches
August 17 – Leech Cup, Mustin Trophy, Farr Trophy, Aitken Trophy, Roumanian Team Trophy Matches
August 18 – Palma Individual Match, Awards Ceremony
August 19 – Palma Team Matches, Awards Ceremony
2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury Calendar
View the full program for this year’s National Precision Pistol, High Power Rifle, and Smallbore Rifle championships at Camp Atterbury via the NRA National Matches website. There are links to the 2024 NRA National Matches calendar and downloadable Match Program (PDF). You can also keep track of all the competitive shooting action at Camp Atterbury by subscribing to the Shooting Sports USA Newsletter.
The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) has filed a lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) “Engaged in the Business” Final Rule. The ATF’s Final Rule unlawfully redefines when a person is “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms and therefore required to be federally licensed. This new lawsuit is being filed on the heels of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have reined in executive branch agencies from acting outside of statutory authority. The NRA suit is named Butler v. Garland and has been filed in the U.S. District Court in Alabama (Northern District, Eastern Division).
“The ATF’s Final Rule stands to turn countless upstanding and well-intending citizens into criminals for exercising their constitutional rights,” said Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “When ATF released this Final Rule, NRA promised to use every means necessary to stop this egregious interpretation of the law. Now that the Supreme Court’s recent decisions in Loper Bright, Cargill, and Rahimi make clear that the ATF does not have unfettered authority to arbitrarily restrict NRA Members’ rights to buy and sell firearms, the NRA is fighting back.”
NRA, along with two individuals, Don Butler and David Glidewell, filed the lawsuit challenging the ATF’s Final Rule in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The complaint alleges that the Final Rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it exceeds the ATF’s statutory and jurisdictional authority and is arbitrary and capricious; violates the Fifth Amendment because it is unconstitutionally vague; violates the Second Amendment by infringing the rights to keep, bear, buy, and sell arms; and violates the Separation of Powers, non-delegation doctrine, and Take Care Clause by usurping legislative powers and prohibiting lawful conduct by executive fiat.
In this Armed Attorneys Video, Emily Taylor and Richard Hayes discuss the effect of the new ATF Final Rule.
Under the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) of 1986 (which amended the Gun Control Act of 1968), someone is “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms if that person “deal[s] in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms.” The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) altered that definition by replacing “livelihood and profit” with “to predominantly earn a profit.” The BSCA did not alter FOPA’s exclusion for “a person who makes occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby, or who sells all or part of his personal collection of firearms.”
On April 19, 2024, ATF promulgated the Final Rule “to clarify the criteria for determining when a person is ‘engaged in the business.’” The Final Rule provides that “there is no minimum threshold number of firearms purchased or sold that triggers the licensing requirement” and that “there is no minimum number of transactions that determines whether a person is ‘engaged in the business’ of dealing in firearms. For example, even a single firearm transaction or offer to engage in a transaction . . . may require a license.”
The Final Rule also excludes firearms acquired for “personal protection” from the firearms that may be sold from a personal collection without a license. The ATF’s Final Rule thus rewrites the law, contradicts Congress’ statutory language, and adds confusion rather than clarification.
Slee Claims Seventh Open Sight-Class Win During 2024 National Rimfire Sporter Match
60-year-old Steven Slee from Michigan scored 580-21X to win the Open Sight O-Class for the second consecutive year at the 2024 National Rimfire Sporter Match at Camp Perry, Ohio. Slee’s 2024 victory is his Seventh O-Class title, starting back in 2009. Slee is also the current record holder in the class and has previously won O-Class at Camp Perry in 2009, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Last year, Slee also shot in T-Class and won T-Class by one point over current record holder, Samuel Payne.
The CMP’s 2024 National Rimfire Sporter Match was a big success with over 280 shooters competing on a hot July 13th day. The competition was one of the first events at the annual National Matches, which have been held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Site since 1907. The National Rimfire Sporter Match is open to both adults and juniors with targets at 25 and 50 yards. There are three classes for .22 LR rifles: Open Sight (O), Telescope Sight (T), and Tactical Unlimited (TU).
Along with the major annual Camp Perry event, other Rimfire Sporter matches are held throughout the country in connection with the CMP’s Travel Games.
The CMP Rimfire Sporter discipline is for .22 LR smallbore (rimfire) rifles that weigh 7 1/2 pounds or less. Firing is done at 25 and 50 yards in prone, sitting, and standing positions, in slow and rapid-fire modes. Even with the vast number of competitors, the Rimfire Sport match proceeds efficiently. The CMP now has a special smart-phone App that helps speed up scoring. SEE 2024 Results.
Other leading competitors of the 2024 National Rimfire Sporter Match were John Hawes, 40, of Waynesboro, PA, who won the T-Class with a score of 594-34X, and William Dunbar, 17, of Riverside, Iowa, who was the top scorer of the TU Class with 594-35X. Dunbar was just one point shy of the current TU Class record score of 595-37X, set nearly a decade ago, in 2015.
As one of the most popular rifle events offered by the CMP throughout the year, the National Rimfire Sporter Match is a great intro to competitive marksmanship. The match format and convivial atmosphere works for shooters of all ages and all experience.
Learn more about the CMP Rimfire Sporter Rifle competition on the CMP website at thecmp.org/competitions/matches/rimfire-sporter-2. To find an upcoming Rimfire Sporter Match near you CLICK HERE then select Rimfire from the list of upcoming match types.
A new report from a voter registration group demonstrates the big impact hunters, recreational shooters, and other American gun owners could have on federal, state, and local elections if they register to vote and then vote in the upcoming November election. The Second Amendment community needs to make sure that the 22.3 million new first-time gun owners since 2020 are registered to vote and then vote this November. NSSF’s #GUNVOTE initiative was created to do just that and according to the newly released survey data from Vote4America, the outcome of the upcoming November presidential election could be determined by Second Amendment supporters.
The key objective should be to increase voter registration numbers for firearms owners, and encourage them to vote this November. According to the Vote4America survey, large numbers of gun owners and hunters in critical swing states are NOT registered to vote. Nationwide, an estimated 10 million gun owners and hunters are NOT registered. In a breakdown by state, the data shows unregistered hunting and Second Amendment supporters total at least 515,277 in Pennsylvania. That number is closer to around 370,000 each in Michigan and North Carolina. In addition, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri and Virginia “all have more than half a million hunters and gun owners unregistered,” and in Arizona that number totals approximately 133,000.
In a District of Conservation podcast, Vote4America adviser Baker Leavitt said, “If we could convert 2% of all licensed hunters and get them to vote, [the] GOP would win in a landslide.”
INFO on Registering to Vote, Voting Process, and Polling Places
The GunVote.org website has links to official state websites where more details about registering to vote, early voting protocols, and the entire process can be found. For those who wait until election day to cast their ballot, GunVote.org also has comprehensive lists of polling place locations where citizens can vote in their city/state.
Second Amendment rights and the rights of hunters and recreational target shooters are on the ballot every election. If you have a friend or loved one who loves hunting and recreational shooting sports, do your part and make sure they register to vote and then vote in November. If they have questions about how to register, send them to GunVote.org.
Good news for shooters — electronic targets will be used at the CMP National Matches at Camp Perry this year. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has announced that, for the first time, ALL the National Mid-Range and Long Range events will be fired on outdoor electronic targets! The Mid-Range and Long Range matches, scheduled for August 5-10, 2024, are part of the annual National Matches at Camp Perry, situated near Port Clinton, Ohio.
The electronic target system provides monitors at each firing point that instantly display accurate shot scores — this helps competitors quickly assess their shot placement and wind corrections. The use of the targets also eliminates the need for pit duty. That significantly lessens the duration of each match, so shooters can spend less time in the hot summer sun.
In this video, CMP Highpower Manager, Brian Williams demonstrates the accuracy of the KTS electronic targets and explains how the system works.
The Long Range series features 10 individual and team events on Camp Perry’s 1,000-yard Viale Range as well as a Mid-Range Match, fired at 600 yards. Only 50 targets will be assembled, meaning the Mid-Range Match will likely sell out — so competitors should sign up as soon as possible. CMP’s National Long Range matches include Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma, F-Open, F T/R or AR Tactical categories. The events are open to adult and junior competitors, regardless of experience level. CLICK HERE to learn more the National Mid-Range and Long Range Matches.
After successfully field testing the electronic target line for Long Range matches at two spring events, the CMP made the decision to utilize the technology at this year’s Nationals. Sara Rozanski, CMP’s Highpower Rifle Coordinator, reports: “Using the targets for Long Range at our Eastern Games in North Carolina in May and again at Camp Perry for a test match in June really encouraged us to make them available for competitors at the National Matches. We received a lot of positive feedback, and we hope bringing the technology to Camp Perry will … enhance the experience of the National Matches for those who attend our Long Range events.”
The CMP 2024 National Matches (for all divisions — pistol, rimfire, centerfire) run July 11 through August 10, 2024. Find registration links and other info on the CMP website at Thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches.
The premier Multi-Gun event in the USA kicks off this week in Minnesota. The 2024 USPSA Multi-Gun National Championship runs July 19 – July 21, 2024 at the Forest Lake Sportsmen’s Club in Forest Lake, Minnesota. This event attracts top Multi-Gun competitors from across the nation vying to be crowned the USPSA National Champion. While most competitors are men, there are also talented lady shooters.
The USPSA has a great online Guide to the Multi-Gun Championship. This zoomable, 50-page “Match Book” has diagrams of all 12 stages, plus interviews with leading shooters. In addition, you’ll find a map of the Forest Lake facility on page 13 of the online Match Book.
What type of handguns, holsters, and gear do female shooters prefer? That question was answered by a survey of lady shooters at SHINE 2024, the Annual Conference of the “A Girl & A Gun” organization. The SHINE 2024 event took place this past May at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex near Grand Junction, Colorado. The 706 lady attendees ranged in age from 17 to 78 and hailed from 45 different states. The 700+ lady shooters included both novices and seasoned shooters — 28% of the attendees were relatively new shooters, 41% were intermediates, and 31% were advanced. The annual event sold out last September and had more than 500 women on the waiting list.
All the participants were required to go through a ‘Gear Check’ process where their handguns, belts, holsters, and mag pouches were all reviewed and function checked. In total, the 706 women brought 976 handguns for training. For today’s article, we reveal the favored handguns, holsters, sights/optics, and other accessories. Glock was the #1 gun choice with 22.75% with Walther a close second at 20.29%. CLICK HERE for complete gun/product survey results.
Handgun Choices by Lady Shooters
Leading Pistol Brands
GLOCK / 22.75%
SIG Sauer / 20.29%
Walther / 17.01%
Smith & Wesson / 9.63%
Heckler & Koch / 5.94%
CZ / 5.33%
Springfield / 4.51%
Canik / 4.41%
Staccato / 3.48%
Ruger / 0.82%
Beretta / 0.61%
Shadow Systems / 0.61%
Kimber / 0.51%
STI / 0.51%
Wilson Combat / 0.51%
Taurus / 0.41%
FN / 0.31%
Favorite Pistol Models
Walther PDP-F / 17.23%
GLOCK 19 / 11.56%
Sig Sauer P365XL / 5.44%
GLOCK 34 / 4.54%
GLOCK 43X / 4.31%
HK VP9 / 4.31%
Sig Sauer P320 / 4.31%
Sig Sauer P365 / 3.85%
GLOCK 17 / 3.40%
Walther PDP / 3.40%
GLOCK 48 / 2.49%
GLOCK 45 / 2.27%
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ / 2.27%
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 / 1.81%
Shooting Gear and Accessories Choices
Holster Brands
Comp Tac / 17.16%
Haven Defense / 7.59%
BladeTech / 6.27%
We The People / 5.83%
Black Scorpion / 5.72%
Safariland / 4.40%
PHLster / 3.52%
Dara / 3.19%
Alien Gear / 2.42%
Blackhawk / 1.98%
Hearing Protection
Walker / 36.09%
Howard Leight / 13.00%
Axil / 11.62%
AKT1 Sport / 5.96%
Peltor / 4.28%
Iron Sights Vs. Pistol-Mounted Optics
While there are more pistol-mounted optics each year, they still have not yet surpassed iron sights among women. 54.4% of the ladies’ pistols had iron sights compared to 45.6% of the handguns which were fitted with Red Dot-type slide-mounted optics.
Training Sessions at AG & AG SHINE Conference
During this shine event, training sessions were run at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. With 28 live-fire bays, 25 field classrooms, a 5-Stand course, and 2,003-yard rifle range, 3D archery loops, and natural terrain for other training options, AG & AG was able to provide training classes on a wide variety of shooting and self-defense topics.
