Women On Target see increase in participation

The Women On Target® program is one of several programs in the Women's Programs Department of the NRA.

Program Coordinator Beth Hellmann has spent the past several years helping club members from across the nation to organize clinics. The program has become nationally recognized as a safe, fun way to acquire a new skill, and participation has increased 21 percent in 2008.

Hellmann offers the following commentary:

While shooting is often perceived as a male-only sport, Women On Target® proves that women enjoy it just as much as men, and for the same reason men do: It's fun!

There's nothing like the feeling of empowerment that comes with learning a new skill — especially one that is a little off the beaten track for most women. Often, women tell me that they are interested in learning to shoot because they want to learn a new sport, develop a hobby, or to learn to protect themselves.

Without training by skilled, knowledgeable instructors, that possibility is remote. Thanks to our unparalleled safety record, women know that training at NRA's Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics is the best choice for them to begin their firearms education.

Additionally, Women On Target® volunteers and host clubs provide all necessary equipment for the beginner, who typically owns no firearms. This includes eye and ear protection, targets, ammunition, firearms, and most of all, a firing range. Grants may be available to defray these expenses. Clubs interested in grants should contact their NRA Field Representative or download an application.

Women On Target® is also an excellent gateway. Women who are hesitant to attend a regular NRA Basic Firearms Training course feel that Instructional Shooting Clinics are perfect for them.

We've spent much of the past two years creating new programs for women — programs that are user friendly and may even be conducted on an individual basis. This includes our Women On Target® postal match program. Women may compete with others all over the country by completing a course of fire and submitting their entries to NRA/Competitive Shooting Division.

Our new Women On Target® Marksmanship Qualification Program provides another incentive for women to continue shooting long after the clinic is over. Special patches designed with a feminine touch are available for qualified women.

We've also designed a variety of new program support materials, provided free of charge to registered clinics. In addition to providing items for the participants, we provide certificates of appreciation, red hats, and red safety vests for volunteers. After all, our program would not be possible without volunteers! This year alone, over 4,000 volunteers have made Women On Target® instructional shooting clinics possible for nearly 7,000 participants.