Rifle Range Open House Delivers Positive Message About The Shooting Sports

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Jun 28, 2012, 02:16 ET

KANKAKEE, Ill., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

Beautiful weather and a growing interest in the shooting sports combined to draw a record crowd to the ISRA's 10th-Annual NRA Day/Range Open House. In all, over 2,500 people came out to the ISRA Rifle Range on June 23rd to enjoy the nice weather, learn about ISRA shooting sports programs, and test fire the latest firearms offered by the major manufacturers.

"This popular event has been steadily growing in size and this was our biggest turnout ever," reported ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "As more and more gun control laws are ruled unconstitutional, the door is opening wider and wider for more people to pick up an interest in shooting. I was very pleased to see the diversity of our attendees this year. We had people from all over the state, people of all ages, and people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. I think the healthy, positive message advanced by the shooting sports is really winning out over the bleak cynicism offered by the gun control movement. I believe we've turned the corner on the public's perception of the shooting sports. I see great things ahead for our programs."

"Of course, an event this successful could not have come to be without the help of a lot of great people and organizations," continued Pearson. "First and foremost, I'd like to thank the staff and volunteers on our Range Committee for all their great work. Likewise, we're very grateful for the support from all the arms and ammunition manufacturers; Project Appleseed; the U.S. Army Recruiting Command; and the Lions Club for the wonderful food service. Of course, as always, special thanks go out to our friends and supporters at the National Rifle Association for the outstanding advertising and logistical support."

"For those who missed this year's event, I can assure you that we'll be back next June with a bigger and better event," said Pearson. "I suspect that we'll see a lot of new faces a year from now!"

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the ISRA has represented the rights of millions of law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

WEB SITE: http://www.isra.org

SOURCE Illinois State Rifle Association