How to Shoot

posted on March 25, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
family-trophy.jpg

Roughly 25 years ago a ball started rolling, eventually landing at the doorsteps of the NRA. That ball was tossed by my grandmother, better known as “Oma.” Influential with her infinite wisdom and pinpoint accuracy, she not only taught me how to shoot but filled my mind of life before the internet, stories of the war and my personal favorites: stories of hunting boar, hirsch (stag), rabbits in France, and Roe deer in the black forest. To a growing boy in the 80s these all sounded like folklore from a different planet.

Looking back, it all makes sense now as to why my Oma taught me how to shoot. I will never forget sitting on her deck with airgun in hand and squeezing off my first shots. With Oma standing near and her heavy German accent similar to Henry Kissinger's, I distinctly remember, “slow and easy.” At the time, little did I know, a small village in Germany stands a sportsman’s clubhouse and glass case containing my Oma’s shooting trophies. From that day on I knew I was going to fill not only her shoes but ones who backed those family stories and put the memories on the wall.

A few days ago I had a VIP visitor here at headquarters-Oma. At 85 she continues to amaze me. I gave her a tour of my office, which has an elk on the wall, shelves filled with optics, work and cleaning benches. The list goes on, but the look on Oma’s face was priceless and I don’t know if I was more proud to have her here or she of me being here. All I can say is if it weren’t for her and shooting, I wouldn’t be where I am today with the coolest job at NRA.

How did you get started shooting, and what were your first and favorite memories behind the trigger? For me, it took me down a road of competitive shooting, hunting for food, and a way of life which I couldn’t be more thankful for.

Latest

FN “Moroccan” Mauser, semi-automatic LRB M14SA
FN “Moroccan” Mauser, semi-automatic LRB M14SA

Scout The Trail To A General Purpose Rifle

The search for a universal longarm—one suitable for both hunting and defensive scenarios—is a trek that involves a bit of doubling back.

Trijicon Releases Green-Dot RMR

For the first time, the Trijicon RMR will now be available with a green aiming dot, providing some benefits to shooters with astigmatism and red-green color blindness.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 15, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Firearm Industry Companies Consolidate, Others Close Doors In 2025

This year has already seen some big changes in the firearm industry. They don’t quite reach the tectonic shift in 2020, when legendary firms owned by Remington Outdoor were auctioned off, but there have still been some notable shifts within the industry in 2025.

Preview: Uni-Loader

The easy-to-use Uni-Loader can save high-volume shooters a lot of time and finger pain.

CZ 600+ Introduces Switch-Barrel Capability

In 2025, CZ USA expanded its 600 series rifle lineup with the CZ 600+, a design that delivers on the company's promise of a switch-barrel platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.