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NRA helps disabled shooters find their mark
Photo by Regan Hill
Ashley Thomas sets her sights on the target.
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Published: November 1, 2009
Chuck Badger stared down the sight of his air rifle, taking aim at the target placed about 30 feet in front of him inside Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2031.
The rifle let out a small "pop" as the pellet flew toward across the room, leaving a clean hole in the paper.
Like many of the wheelchair-bound shooters at the Fundamentals of Air Rifle shooting class taught by the National Rifle Association's office of Disabled Shooting Services, it was Badger's first time shooting the pellet gun.
"I loved it," he said. "It's so small and hard to hit that thing."
Badger and many others are involved with other sustainable adapted sports, such as basketball, tennis and track. Many participants Saturday at the VFW Post on Jordan Lane were shooting an air rifle for the first time.
Badger said being able to play sports gives people with a physical impairment self confidence and a chance to compete.
The sessions at the VFW Post were the first of many organizers from Bridge II Sports hope to offer people across the state.
Bridge II Sports is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for children and adults who are physically challenged to play team and individual sports.
The organization recently received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield to develop the infrastructure for sustainable adapted sports programs across the state, said Executive Director Ashley Thomas.
The air rifle program is one of the new sports the organization plans to introduce statewide, she said.
Bridge II Sports Executive Director of Community Development Dave Kiley said some of the participants might be interested in participating in the Paralympics on the United States team.
Statesville resident George Ramsey participated in the Paralympics on the air rifle before. He said he wanted to keep it up and compete more often.
He was glad Bride II Sports was offering more opportunities to learn about the sport.
NRA Disabled Shooting Sports Manager Vanessa Warner said she was teaching adapted shooting techniques for competition.
"Everyone shoots at the same level," she said. "This is something everyone can participate in."
The NRA, through a grant, has adapted equipment for participants to use, she said.
The air rifle program provides the shooters with instant feedback, Warner said.
"The response has been over the top," Kiley said.
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