This Saturday, March 31, the Juneau Gun Club and a state employee group, the Alaska Correctional Officers Assoc, will host what must be the 9th or 10th annual legislative shoot. Legislators and other public officials compete as 3-person teams. Each person shoots centerfire pistol (Glocks and 1911's) at steel targets, trap guns at 16-yard trap, and .22 rifles at banks of knock-down biathlon targets. Breakfast and lunch is provided. The scores are read on the floors of the House and Senate. Local media usually cover the event. The event was covered in Trap & Field magazine a few years ago. Many legislators also regularly shoot trap on Sundays as a way to escape the Capitol. As great as this event is, and as great as it would be to have it duplicated in every state capital, the most important contribution shooters make here and throughout Alaska is involving youths in firearms, hunter education, and competitive shooting. Time passes quickly and kids grow up. Many children come from homes that are not supportive of outdoor events and that do not offer firearms orientation and training. Giving every child an opportunity to learn about shooting and gun safety is the best long-term insurance for hunting and even for the 2nd Amendment. A day that a gun club goes unused or a shooting range is idle is a wasted opportunity to teach shooting and gun safety.
