Drivers on Massachusetts Ave. are being treated to an unusual sight for the District: a 1,000 square-foot billboard encouraging locals to shoot guns.
Yup, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is back in Washington to promote First Shots, a program that teaches beginners the basics of shooting and gun safety. In late August, ranges in the D.C. suburbs will be hosting free classes — even the ammo is free — for folks interested in shooting, particularly those who have never tried it.
“The way these classes are set up is they are supposed to be fun,” says First Shots manager Tisma Juett. “When they leave the class, the smiles are as wide as you can imagine.”
Juett can’t comment on the scope or success of its first Washington run three years ago as it predated her time with the organization, but she’s anticipating strong participation from Washingtonians. NSSF spokesperson Mike Bazinet says First Shots received an “overwhelmingly positive” response from participants in Chicago and other areas.
Bazinet anticipates no turf wars between the NSSF and that other gun organization in town, the NRA. “I think there’s plenty of room,” he said.
(h/t Washington Business Journal)
