Whatever happened to National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day?

 

This was a good idea, had a robust start, but like so many endeavors, it required a lot of work by a lot of dedicated people to get up and going.  Also, like so many things, it took a lot less effort to take it apart.  Without going into the painful details, the organization crumbled. 

 

However, there are still a few clubs across the country who host annual events, some under a slightly different title, but the concept of safety, encouragement and promotion of the Shooting Sports is still strong.  That being said, there is no reason any range can’t support a family event or set aside a Daughter Day, do some type of promotion that may include extra instructor staff support, use of .22 caliber firearms, or even a reduced cost.  Some clubs have prizes and a cook out and certificates and advance registration. 

 

No matter how you do it, formal or informal, this is a great family activity and girls as well as boys love to make the first trip to the range in a supported way, and most have so much fun they can’t wait to go again.

 

So, consider encouraging your local range to promote a family day, or a daughter day, and get everyone out for some fun!

National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day Founder’s Event June 15, 2013!

The Founder’s Event has a new host range this year.  We will be at the Silver Eagle Group (SEG), 44620 Guilford Drive, Suite 100 , Ashburn, Virginia.  SEG is graciously donating range time and support to promote shooting sports and the NTYDTTRD message of Safety, Education and Family.

The event will begin at 8:00 am and go through 11:00 am.  We will have all lanes dedicated for NTYDTTRD use during this time.  The event is open to children ages 6 through 18.  All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  Parents are welcome to shoot with their kids.  Firearms will be available to be borrowed, ammunition for the most common calibres is being donated, souvenir targets will be provided and credentialed instructors will be available to assist anyone who would like assistance. 

Advance registration for the event is required, and registration will open May 1.  Time slots will be available on the hour, for 45 minutes.  This allows time to transition and clean the lane for the next family.  To register, email Lynne@InnovativeDefensiveSolutions.com with your name, names and ages of children and total number in your party along with your preferred time slot (8:00, 9:00 or 10:00).  You will receive a confirmation for your slot.  When you arrive, you will be asked to complete a range waiver, a NTYDTTRD waiver and a photo release granting us the right to use any photos for promotion of the event.

There will be prizes for the kids as well as a raffle for larger prizes such as gift certificates for training at Front Sight or a Range Bag from Brownells.

A donation jar will be available at the sign in desk in case you would like to contribute to the organization to help defray our costs.

Last year the two responses we saw the most were huge smiles on the faces of the kids and their proud parents, and we heard over and over “This was AWESOME!  When can we do it again!”.  NTYDTTRD, Inc is hoping to implement an education program for kids in the future to help them find the joy in developing their shooting skills in a safe ans supportive environment.

We look forward to seeing you on June 15!

NTYDTTRD attracts anti-gun attention

On June 24, the Sun Sentinel (Central Florida) columnist Gary Stein wrote an anti-gun piece that mentioned NTYDTTRD. I guess we have hit the big time! LOL

“Of course, gun nuts always come up with ludicrous ways to promote weapons. Just recently — again, I am not making this up — gun fanatics were agog over National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day. Kind of makes your toes tingle, doesn't it?”

I did, in fact, email Mr. Stein, very politely, and mentioned that the number one objective of the event was safety education and the number two was family time. I suggested that if he tried target shooting he might understand that some of us find it fun. He responded, equally polite, but made it clear that he “abhors” guns and the NRA. Mmmm??? So much for non-biased journalism?
 
In skimming the comments I came across this one. I considered responding and decided that this kind of close minded thinking would never be phased by simple facts or anyone else’s opinion. (name withheld to protect the foolish)


XXXXXXXX at 11:19 AM June 25, 2012
“I completely agree with the author.
Guns owners are disrespectful of authority. A failure to rely on authorities is an invariable sign of improper and overly independent attitudes. The mere fact that they gather together to talk about guns at gun shops, gun shows, shooting ranges, and on the internet means that they have some plot going against us normal people. A gun owner has no right to associate with another gun owner.
Therefore, to help ensure our right to happiness and safety we must ban and seize all guns from private hands, and forbid NRA-based criticism towards people who are only trying to help. Searching the homes of all NRA members for any guns and pro-gun literature will go a long way towards reducing crime.
Common sense requires only uniformed soldiers, police, and other agents of the state have access to firearms, and think of all the money we can save by just taking away the guns from private owners and giving them to the military and police. No person should be able to challenge this by writing to Congress or the President. If they do they should be forced in court to admit to it and then fined a hundred million dollars for each time. Subjecting them to torture will probably change their minds.”

Wow…I, as most lawful gun owners do, have a true respect for the law and for doing the right thing. I also respect the constitution that allows me to not only own firearms but have free assembly. Apparently Mr. X doesn’t realize that most armed criminals are probably not NRA
members, nor are the criminals likely to be gathering to chat at gun shows or ranges. He also doesn’t seem to realize that the “authorities” are reactive, usually arriving after a crime has been committed. Good luck with that.
This was the first time I’ve really come across such vehement anti-gun sentiment. It set me back on my heels a little. I do not understand why someone thinks they have the right to decide that I’m wrong when I am acting responsibly and within the law? And torture for disagreeing? Isn’t that a bit Marxist? There is an old line, but very true, “If guns are illegal only criminals will have guns".

Safe Shooting!