New Jersey's 2008 NRA Day

Kerrin Brinkman of the NRA's Education and Training Division was kind enough to act as our New Jersey correspondent this past weekend. She attended the sixth annual NRA Day on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Salem County Sportsmen's Club.

Here are her reflections:

"When I drove up to the facilities I noticed it was really beautiful. I drove up to a picturesque scene of a lake and gorgeous stone clubhouse.

What struck me was the incredible variety of activities — pistol, rifle, trapshooting, air gun — available to NRA Day participants.

There were a lot of people out there trying to shoot new disciplines and trying different sorts of guns.

The representation for their club was fantastic. They created a welcoming, family atmosphere that was apparent from the minute I pulled into the parking lot. Throughout the day these people were so willing to help me — as well as anyone — to make sure everyone had a good, safe, and fun time."

Kerrin said the drive took about three hours from the greater Washington DC area. New Jersey is lucky to have NRA Day Coordinator and NRA Board member Bob Viden on hand, but the potential for an annual NRA Day exists wherever NRA members are willing to get together to offer their club facilities and time.

Kerrin emphasizes the mission of NRA Day as introducing new people to the world of shooting and introducing shooters to new disciplines. "The mission was definitely met," she said.

"There was a gentleman who came with his son Ryan and they were not very familiar with shooting. His son really enjoyed shooting the 22 pistol as well as the air rifle and his father said if his son was going to get involved in shooting, he needed to get involved and learn about gun safety as well so that it would be something they could do together. He said now they may buy a .22 for his son. There was also a lady named Diane who came out, an avid pistol and rifle shooter who had never participated in any of the sporting clays games. She got out there and began shooting trap and discovered she really loved it. I believe she shot two or three rounds.

They definitely showed that shooting is something that can be a family activity. There were some grandparents out there with grandchildren. Bob Viden's daughter-in-law and grandson even came out for the day."