The Importance of
Youth Shooting Sports

Back when I was in high school, it wasn't uncommon to see shotguns in pickup-truck gun racks in the parking lots of rural schools. Whether the guns were there for a planned dove hunt that evening or just for busting a few clays with buddies down by the river, it never crossed our minds to use those guns for nefarious reasons.

My, how things have changed. The anti-Second Amendment slogan that "kids and guns don't mix," combined with a "mainstream" media that constantly focuses on misuse of guns by youth—which, in actuality, are often gang members fighting for drug turf in big cities—has somewhat turned the tide against youngsters becoming involved with the shooting sports.

That's unfortunate, because the shooting sports teach youth so many valuable lessons that aren't taught as often as they should be today. The shooting sports teach safety, responsibility, courtesy, respect and other aspects of life that will serve youngsters well into the future as they leave high school for college, trade schools or a career.

Also, as with all other aspects of life, youth shooters today are the adult shooters of tomorrow—along with being tomorrow's adult leaders in the ongoing battle to protect the Second Amendment-protected right to keep and bear arms. And that's why supporting and perpetuating youth shooting sports should be at the top of every gun owner's mind. .....