By way of introduction, my name is Harold Adams. I am the controller here at NAA and have been a volunteer scout leader for over 15 years. I am actively involved with scouting locally and on the national level. Both scouting and using firearms are interests that consume a lot of my time. The combining of the two has been fun and exciting - to see how it affects lives and helps youth gain self-esteem and knowledge.

     Many people probably wonder if there are any connections between Scouting and the firearms industry. This question mostly arises from the fact that the BSA has recently taken great steps to try to recruit scouts from urban areas where there is little chance for youth to handle firearms. The BSA has long known that firearms are an important and integral part of growing up in the United States. We have two options as scout leaders: Teach youth how to safely handle and use firearms or allow them to learn from neighbors or friends with no safety factors in play.

     Within the youngest programs of Scouting - the Cub Scout program has firearms safety and use as a part of the learning and growth program. Cub Scouts are often given the chance to use BB-guns at their summer day camps. The instructors at the day camp go through firearms training and use a NRA style course to teach firearms safety and use. Each boy is given instruction on safety issues involving firearms before any guns are allowed to be used. After completing safety instructions, the boys are allowed to shoot at "sounding" targets and paper targets to learn how the guns work and to help build self-esteem. It is interesting to note, that the shooting range is probably the most popular attraction at most day camps. If you ask most Cub Scouts what they look forward to - they will reply - the shooting range. This pent up demand, can only be met at day camps for the Cub Scout aged boy. Only Day Camps that have completed a strict inspection are allowed to offer the BB-Gun belt loop for Cub Scouts.

     All shooting sport activities are based on an age-based scale.

• Cub Scouts are allowed to use BB-Guns at qualified day camps.
• Boy Scouts are allowed to use .22s and shotguns at Scout camps and NRA certified ranges with NRA certified instructors as range masters.
• Varsity Scouts are allowed to shoot shotguns and Black Powder rifles with NRA certified instructors as range masters.
• Venture Scouts are the only age group that are allowed to use handguns, and only under the supervision of NRA certified instructors.

     It is interesting to note that in the Boy Scout program there are merit badges for shooting. At the upcoming National Jamboree to be held at Ft. AP Hill in Virginia, there will be over 45,000 boys given the chance to shoot as part of their experience. Shotgun shooting and Black Powder shooting are big hits. Lines are often over two hours long to participate in these activities. The NSSF will play an integral part in the programs this year. The NSSF will be providing the instructors and range masters for these activities. In the recent copy of Scouting Magazine, there were several pages describing the association and the activities involved. There is indeed a true demand with this country's youth to learn and have the opportunity to use firearms safely. The limiting factor seems to be qualified instructors and opportunities for these kids to participate. Any and all NRA certified instructors could contact local BSA scout units and offer their services. I can't imagine that there would be any units that would turn away an offer to go shooting.

     As an aside, my Varsity Scout Team has taken the opportunity to go shooting whenever we can. During the last year, our boys have had the chance to shoot Black Powder rifles, shotguns, a .50 caliber BMG single shot rifle (they were able to take the casing home to show their parents) and to even do a Sporting Clays course. The boys have earned their Shotgun Shooting merit badge and are constantly looking for more opportunities to go shooting.

     If you are a certified NRA instructor, take the chance to share your talents with BSA units in your area and teach these youth the proper way to handle and shoot firearms. The look on their faces and the thanks that you will get in return will be pay enough for your time. This is kind of like watching a young person take their first deer. The self-esteem and growth in these youth is clearly evident after the activity. As you think of the future, you will know that you have had a part in the growth of those youth, but you will also know that you have made the future safer, by correctly teaching youth how to handle and shoot firearms. After all, is that not the desire of all of us. To this end, please either donate your time or means to help these youth become well informed leaders of the future.

Harold Adams
Controller, NAA
Team 7205 Coach