First Shots News - The Newsletter for Beginner Shooters - September 2015

There are many things in life that should be celebrated: weddings, a child's birth, birthdays, graduations. There are anniversaries, too, such as NSSF's First Shots program, which is celebrating its tenth year of helping introduce new people to the shooting sports in a safe, controlled and fun manner. More than 50,000 people across the country have learned about firearms safety, education and responsibility through the First Shots program and that is definitely something worth celebrating.

The shotgun is a very versatile firearm, capable of filling many roles. From breaking clay birds to calling in spring turkeys, the camaraderie of the duck blind and even in the role of home-defense, the shotgun has wide applications.

The National Shootings Sports Foundation's First Shots program has introduced tens of thousands of people to the shooting sports - and 44 percent of them have been women. Read more about the people who got their start in the shooting sports through First Shots over the past 10 years.

Hunting and competing with shotguns can be a lot of fun, but it's also a real challenge. For instance, in the three primary shotgun sports-trap, skeet and sporting clays-you're firing at a small orange clay disk being hurled through the air.

Gil Ash of OSP Shooting School explains their method of shotgun shooting by inserting the muzzle in front of the target and matching gun speed and target speed. (NSSF Video)

Target shooting sports are enjoying a resurgence of popularity across the country these days. But while many people find a sport that "rings their bell," so to speak, and generally dedicate themselves to that particular activity, there are some who ask the question, why limit yourself to just one gun or one discipline? Why not become proficient with a shotgun on clays, a pistol on steel or paper and the MSR (modern sporting rifle, or AR-platform rifle) on the 100-yard line?

When asked the three things he's into right now, Vincent Hancock's reply could basically be boiled down into three distinct "F" words: faith, family and the future.

Thank you to all who entered the drawing for the $25 Bass Pro Shops gift card. Congratulations to David M. of Willard, Utah, the winner of the Augustdrawing!

To enter the drawing for the $25 September Bass Pro Shops gift card, fill out the entry form and tell us, are you going to enter the First Shots 10 Years & 10 Prizes Sweepstakes? Remember, there's no right or wrong answer, so let us know!