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Author: SSSF Staff

NSSF Report: Unintentional Firearms Fatalities at Historic Low

Firearm Safety Stats
Click on image to view report

Among the uninitiated, there is a common misconception that where there are guns, there must be accidental discharges and deaths as a result. But the facts could not be further from the truth! Findings of the National Safety Council show that unintentional firearms fatalities remain at historically low levels. In fact, the number of unintentional firearms-related fatalities has declined by 57 percent over the past two decades. The statistics prove that firearm safety training is effective.

Some of the interesting findings in the 2014 Edition of Firearms-Related Injury Statistics, compiled by the NSSF, include:

  • Firearms are involved in fewer than 1⁄2-percent of all unintentional fatalities in the United States. In a side-by-side comparison, firearms rank among the lowest causes of injury.
  • Firearms are involved in less than 1.8 percent of unintentional fatalities among children 14 years of age and under and are among the least likely causes of unintentional fatality.
  • As firearms safety education programs have increased, the number of unintentional firearms-related fatalities has decreased.
  • Over the past 10 years, the unintentional firearm fatality rate per 100,000 population has declined by 33 percent; since the beginning of record-keeping in 1903, this rate has declined by 94 percent!
  • Among fatal accidents at home, firearms rate well below poisoning, falls, natural heat and cold, mechanical suffocation, and many other categories.

NSSF has compiled statistics from agencies independent of the gun industry, such as the National Safety Council, to demonstrate the relative safety of firearms ownership and the effectiveness of firearms safety training as a deterrent to accidental discharges. We suggest that you download and print the report to keep handy for those times when you need facts to support your assertions about firearms safety training.

View and download the NSSF report.

Apply for MidwayUSA Foundation Grant by December 15

MidwayUSA Foundation logoIf your team has an endowment account with a balance of any amount with the MidwayUSA Foundation and you haven’t yet received a grant this year, you have until December 15 to apply for a grant for up to 5% of your account balance.

Grant funds can be used for team expenses such as ammunition, travel, uniforms, range fees, and more. The funds cannot be used for firearms purchases or political lobbying.

SSSF regularly makes endowment funds available for SCTP and SPP events and contributes them to participating teams’ endowment accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation. Since 2011, SSSF has donated funding to several hundred team endowment accounts across 48 states. This year to date, we have already contributed over $1.5 million to MidwayUSA Foundation accounts.

The goal of the MidwayUSA Foundation is to provide permanent financial support for shooting programs. Grants are the vehicle that makes this goal possible.

Even if you have a small account balance earned at a shooting event or through your own deposits, you can draw a grant. If the funds are not needed, you can put it back into your team endowment account to have matching funds applied.

Teams may apply to receive up to 5% of their account balance once per calendar year. MidwayUSA Foundation accepts grant applications in June and December, and applications are reviewed and decided upon by its Board of Directors at January and July board meetings. If you did not apply for a grant in June, you are eligible to apply by December 15.

Learn more about applying for a MidwayUSA Foundation grant for your team.

SHOT V.5 Registration and Scoring System Set for November 10 Launch

SHOT V5 SCREEN

The latest version of our SHOT online registration and scoring system is set to launch on November 10, giving teams more control over their own records management, providing new capabilities as event hosts, and paving the way for an upcoming paperless system.

Scholastic Pistol Program participants, who previously have not used the SHOT system for event registration and scoring, will now be able to manage these functions electronically. For coaches with multiple teams in either program, the new SHOT V.5 will simplify access by allowing one login to be used for all teams, rather than a separate one for each team.

Another important benefit of SHOT V.5 will be competition management tools for teams to host and manage shoots, leagues, and conferences. Plus, every team will be able to have its own website hosted on our system.

SHOT V.5 will be a user-controlled environment that will allow coaches to register online, setting your own login information and controlling the information stored there. If you lose your login information, you will no longer need to contact us to retrieve or reset it; you will be able to reset it immediately yourself.

The first time you access the system on or after November 10, you will be prompted to create new login information. This will be very similar to many other sites where you set up your own login and use it each time you shop or manage your account.

For now, head coaches will continue to have forms completed by athletes and parents and will enter the information collected into the SHOT system. It will be the head coach’s responsibility to make sure each person is properly registered online. Because this system is designed for user management, our staff will no longer be entering registration information into the SHOT system on behalf of coaches and athletes.

Since this is the first time many SPP coaches have registered on the SHOT system, these coaches are reminded that you will now need to register on the site, complete your background check, and take the Double Goal Course. If you need help, you may contact Tammy Mowry.

Don’t worry about the need to learn something new and complex. While we don’t think you’ll find it difficult to use, we have created some video tutorials to walk you through the system’s functions, and we’ll remind you of the steps you’ll need to follow to fully operate in the new environment. You can view the tutorials here.

When the paperless environment is in place in 2015, coaches and teams will realize some immediate benefits. Athletes, parents, and other volunteers will register themselves in the system. Coaches will no longer need to collect paper forms and juggle duplicate records, sending copies to SSSF and maintaining copies for themselves. That will mean no more time and expense of copying and mailing records to SSSF. Instead, all records will be stored online. Likewise, SSSF will save money, space, and staff time that is now spent on records management — resources that can be spent on your SCTP or SPP team instead!

Congratulations to Prize Winners Who Completed Our Nationals Survey

We recently closed our National Championships survey after several hundred of you gave us your feedback on our year’s big events. As promised, we have drawn the names of eight (8) respondents to win a prize from SCTP or SPP. Congratulations to these winners:

    Aiden Belongia – SPP shooter from Wisconsin
    SPP water bottle, patch, and pin

    Houston Unsell – SPP shooter from Alabama
    SPP water bottle, patch, and pin

    Darin Bruski – SPP and SCTP shooter from Wisconsin
    SPP water bottle, patch, and pin

    William M. Seifert – SCTP shooter from Michigan
    Case of Nobel Sport ammo

    Dakota Bishop – SCTP shooter from Texas
    Case of Fiocchi ammo

    John Michael Baggett – SCTP shooter from Tennessee
    SCTP hat and t-shirt

    Edward Rowland – SCTP coach from Tennessee
    Weather Writer System

    Terry Brookman – SCTP coach from Missouri
    SCTP lanyard, coffee mug, and hot/cold pack

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to our survey and provide us with valuable information that we will use to make future events even better.

Watch for These Upcoming SPP Events

Southeast Regional Fall Match


The SPP Southeast Regional Fall Match in Huntingdon, Tennessee is fast approaching. The match date will be November 8 at the Carroll County Shooting Sports Park. It is open to all Junior, Senior, and Collegiate SPP teams.

Both Centerfire and Rimfire (JV) Divisions will be recognized. Endowment funds will be available.

Match fee is $25 per shooter.

Download the match flyer for more details, or contact Tammy Mowry for registration information.

Washington State Scrimmage Match

Custer Sportsmen’s Club in Custer, Washington will host the Washington State Scrimmage Match on November 15. The match is open to all Junior, Senior, and Collegiate SPP teams. It will include all four SPP stages, plus two fun stages for a total of six.

The local team will run a free new-competitor orientation the morning of the match. No experience is necessary. Loaner guns will be available for those who need them.

The Washington Scrimmage is an informal kick-off event for Northwest shooters interested in SPP. Look for a full-fledged Washington State Championship in 2015.

Download the event flyer for more details.

Florida Law Enforcement Explorer Shooting League Inaugural Match

The Florida Law Enforcement Explorer Shooting League Inaugural Match will take place on November 15 at the Talon Range in Midway, Florida. The match is being hosted by the Leon County Sheriff’s Explorer Post and The Rifle Association at the Florida State University.

Contact Tammy Mowry for registration information.

Crew 51 Maine Local Match

Crew 51 in Maine will host a local match on November 22, 2014, at Camp Hinds BSA Camp in Raymond, Maine. For registration information, contact Annie Tarbox, annie.tarbox@gmail.com, or 207-200-6814.

SSSF Donates $44,000 to MidwayUSA Foundation Endowment Accounts for 14 SPP Teams

SSSF made contributions totaling $44,000 this week to the MidwayUSA Foundation, Inc. endowment accounts of 14 Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP) teams. The teams earned the endowment funds while competing in the Massachusetts State Match on September 13 and the Northeast Fall Regional Match on October 4.

The contributions for September and October bring SPP’s total donations to $407,150 to date in 2014. SPP expects to contribute at least $480,000 in total for 2014 through state, regional, and national championship events.

SSSF contributes the funds on behalf of the teams to the MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account Program, which was created to provide sustained financial support for youth shooting teams. SPP teams are awarded endowment funds through participation in sanctioned shoots. Teams with an endowment account can draw an annual grant to help offset team expenses, such as registration fees, equipment costs, and travel.

“The MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account Program has been a great asset in building youth shooting teams,” said Scott Moore, SPP Director. “This program also requires the athletes to work toward goals, which is part of the great character-building aspect of the Scholastic Pistol Program and Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation.”

The teams whose endowment accounts received funds for September and October are:

Massachusetts State Match

United States Military Academy – Pistol ProgramNY
Venturing Crew 556NH
University of New Hampshire – Main CampusNH
Fin, Fur And Feather ClubMA
Holyoke Revolver Club Steel ShootersMA

Northeast Fall Regional Match

United States Military Academy – Pistol ProgramNY
Crew 70ME
Crew 357ME
Crew 51ME
University of VermontVT
University of New Hampshire – Main CampusNH
Crew 401ME
Crew 1675ME
Crew 556NH

Staff Tip: Visualize the Process

Note: This is the first in a series of shooting and competition tips from the SSSF staff.

While working with an ammunition company several years ago, I joined members of our sales and marketing team at a police pistol range for some training on a bitterly cold January morning to gain a better understanding of officers’ needs in ammunition and the dangers they face in the field.

A tactical course was set up, with the officer required to shoot accurately, correctly distinguish the good guys from the bad guys that were popping up and moving into the course of fire, rescue a partner who had been “shot” without also getting shot, move to a safer area, and more — and do it all FAST.

I was seriously out of my element. Although I was a shooter, I had no law enforcement or tactical expertise, nor did the rest of our team. The range officer brought in an expert to demonstrate the course. But not just any expert — it was the officer who held the record for shooting the course. He dazzled us with his speed and accuracy as he performed every challenge perfectly. Then it was our turn.

Several members of our staff went through the course before Randell’s name was called. Underdressed in his warm-weather clothes and loafers, Randell approached the starting box. Tap, tap, move. Tap, tap, move. Minutes later, Randell had not only stunned all the spectators, but he had broken the course record the first time he shot it!

His secret, he explained, was that it wasn’t the first time he shot the course; he had spent the previous half hour visualizing the course and mentally shooting it. In his mind, he placed every shot, moved to the next challenge, took every step, rescued the downed partner, took cover, and developed the rhythm he needed to do it quickly and smoothly.

We all learned something important from Randell’s performance. It was too late to help me that day — I was the next shooter — but I’ve practiced it many times since then, not just in pistol shooting, but in shotgunning and other active pursuits. I haven’t broken any records, but I’ve benefited every time I have visualized the process.

— Sherry Kerr, SSSF Media & Communications

MidwayUSA Foundation Matching Deadlines Are Approaching

MidwayUSAFoundation
As another year starts to wind down, we are inching closer to the MidwayUSA Foundation matching deadlines. Don’t miss your chance to double, triple, even quadruple your money!

Funds returned to the MidwayUSA Foundation stemming from one of their recent promotions (Zeiss Binoculars, Browning Knife Set, Winchester 280, SKB RS300) by November 30, 2014, will be matched 3:1. Funds returned from previous promotions (Our Family Legacy, Silver Sporting) are matched 1:1. See MidwayUSA Foundation’s promotions page for additional details.

General donations are also matched. Donate to the team of your choice and your donation will be matched 2:1 by Larry and Brenda Potterfield! Find your team here. Your donation is tax deductible, and 100% of your donation will go to your local shooting team. But hurry — this match also ends November 30, 2014.

According to MidwayUSA Foundation, in 2015 they plan to bring new incentives to your teams to grow your Team Endowment Accounts. They also hope to offer another matching program, but don’t miss your chance this year! Donate today!

Who Ya Gonna Call?

When you need to contact the SSSF staff, we want to give you the help you need as efficiently as possible. We know that no one likes being passed from person to person in search of a simple answer.

To help you get to the right person the first time, please follow these guidelines:

Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)

For any program-related issues regarding SCTP, such as:

  • Registration
  • SHOT System assistance
  • Team, coach, or athlete registration
  • Username / password help
  • Contact Amanda Wondrash, awondrash@sssfonline.com, 262-206-4634.

    For payments, background checks, and all other issues, contact SSSF national headquarters at 210-448-8946.

    Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP)

    For any program-related issues regarding SPP, such as:

  • Registration
  • SHOT System assistance
  • Team, coach, or athlete registration
  • Username / password help
  • Contact Tammy Mowry, tmowry@sssfonline.com, 724-822-7390.

    For payments, background checks, and all other issues, contact SSSF national headquarters at 210-448-8946.

    USA Shooting Proclaims 10.9 Day

    10.9 Day

    In this country, we take pride in making up days to celebrate anything – donuts, pirates, and even our bosses. USA Shooting knows a good celebration when they see one, and traditionally, that’s been as a result of medal-worthy performances set down by its athletes. But today, 10.9, USA Shooting has claimed the day as its very own.

    In target shooting, a 10.9 is the mark of perfection, proof that excellence has been achieved. Excellence is a virtue of the USA Shooting Team, so on 10.9 (October 9), USA Shooting has encouraged its community to aim for excellence in all the shots you take in life.

    “We’re recognizing those moments in time when the ordinary became extraordinary and when jaws were dropped,” says USA Shooting. “On this day, and every day thereafter, strive for excellence in all that you do, and may every shot you take in life be in pursuit of the highest mark, your 10.9.”

    While not everyone has shot that elusive 10.9, what’s important is encouraging and celebrating people who help us on that path toward excellence. Encourage someone this week, and be sure to say “thanks” to someone who has encouraged you!

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