September 3, 2026

NSSF Celebrates Outstanding Support for National Shooting Sports Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, celebrates widespread support and participation in the 10th annual National Shooting Sports Month^®, which ran throughout the month of August.

To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s National Shooting Sports Month celebration carried the tagline “Let Freedom Plink” — recognizing the traditions of marksmanship, responsibility and freedom that have brought generations of Americans together through the shooting sports.

“Across 10 years of observing National Shooting Sports Month, this year’s celebration really stood out with the widespread enthusiasm from all aspects of the firearm community for target shooting and the shooting sports,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “Based on feedback from range owners, individuals and even elected officials, it’s clear this annual celebration of the shooting sports has a unifying impact and creates an opportunity for our industry to welcome in new participants. This year’s ‘Let Freedom Plink’ theme rang true at ranges nationwide.”

Coast-to-Coast Support

Ranges, retailers and shooting clubs played a central role in making National Shooting Sports Month a success. Hundreds of ranges, gun clubs and retail stores — 519 in all — signed on to participate in National Shooting Sports Month. These facilities hosted events, sales promotions, introductory classes, shooting sports experiences and more throughout the month to welcome in customers.

With increased foot traffic, ranges used their participation in this celebration to boost other elements of their business. Lake Erie Arms in Milan, Ohio, supported the +ONE^® Movement by encouraging frequent customers to bring a guest during National Shooting Sports Month — those who did received extra entries to a special Lake Erie Arms giveaway. Freedom Armory, based in Pennsylvania and with a deep connection to the hunting community, closed out its National Shooting Sports Month participation by hosting a hunting sale to kickstart its busy fall season.

#RangeChallenge Generates Excitement

The #RangeChallenge was a significant driver throughout National Shooting Sports Month. Over 190 ranges/clubs participated in the #RangeChallenge, each receiving a promotional package that accounted for more than 19,000 #RangeChallenge targets being handed out to target shooters.

Many ranges developed their own course of fire in support of the #RangeChallenge, which proved popular with range guests. Two examples, Arkansas Armory and Freedom Outdoors each hosted local #RangeChallenge events with prizes to encourage participation throughout the month.

All month long, consumers entered the #RangeChallenge by using the #RangeChallenge hashtag and uploading a picture of themselves and their “Let Freedom Plink”-themed target for a chance to win one of eight $500 gift cards. In all, 408 enthusiasts entered the #RangeChallenge throughout August.

Online Engagement Trends

Web traffic to ShootingSportsMonth.org, the official webpage of National Shooting Sports Month, increased nearly 20 percent year-over-year. For the month of August, ShootingSportsMonth.org had 12,736 users and 20,556 page views. National Shooting Sports Month content on LetsGoShooting.org attracted nearly 5,000 page views.

The #RangeChallenge page on the site boasted 7,071 unique users and 11,134 page views. The #RangeChallenge target was downloaded 1,036 times.

On social media, ranges, manufacturers, organizations and individuals joined in the National Shooting Sports Month festivities. Social media users highlighted trips to the range, #RangeChallenge participation and special events. There were 30,954 National Shooting Sports Month engagements (comments, likes, shares) throughout August, averaging nearly 1,000 per day.

Content relating to the #RangeChallenge represented the best conversation starter on social media. Topics connected to training/safety and community also performed well among the expansive National Shooting Sports Month audience — showcasing the importance of responsibility that comes along with the joy of the shooting sports.

Notable National & State Recognitions

National Shooting Sports Month achieved noteworthy national and state recognitions from elected officials throughout August.

Aug. 10, President Donald Trump released a Presidential Message commemorating National Shooting Sports Month.

“This National Shooting Sports Month, we celebrate America’s proud tradition of recreational shooting and hunting and the glorious exercise of our Second Amendment rights,” the president stated. “For generations, this time-honored way of life has instilled discipline, promoted rugged individualism that drove American civilization west, and connected millions of Americans to the great outdoors.”

In an impressive showing of support, 19 state governors issued official state proclamations celebrating the rich tradition and importance that recreational shooting, hunting and the firearm industry provide to their individual states. The proof is in the numbers: For fiscal year 2026, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) apportioned over $1.3 billion through the Wildlife Restoration program. More than $842 million was sourced directly from those excise taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers and importers.

The following states issued official National Shooting Sports Month proclamations: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

Members of Congress showcased their support for National Shooting Sports Month in the halls of Congress and in their districts. U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and U.S. Rep. Tony Wied (R-Wis.) introduced resolutions, S. Res. 826 and H. Res. 1477, respectively, to honor the contributions of firearm manufacturers “to the economy, culture, and recreational heritage of the United States” and to recognize August 2026 as National Shooting Sports Month.

Seven members of Congress celebrated National Shooting Sports Month with a visit to a local range in their district or state. In the Senate, U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) visited NSSF Five-Star Range Black Wing Shooting Center in Delaware, Ohio, breaking clays while shooting trap. Two examples of House Members visiting ranges in their district include: U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Ala.), who stopped by another NSSF Five-Star Range, Bullet & Barrel in Huntsville, Ala.; and U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), who visited Davenport Guns & Shooting Club in Davenport, Iowa, meeting with Owner Jeanelle Westrom and local constituents.

The Celebration Doesn’t Have to Stop

While National Shooting Sports Month may have come to an end, the celebration of the shooting sports can long continue. As the calendar turns to fall, hunting opportunities abound, as well as friendly competition in local matches and leagues at ranges. Find and visit a local range, bring a friend and “Let Freedom Plink” year-round.

About NSSF

NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

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