I just spoke to Greg Connor at the NRA. We talked about the number of people shooting silhouettes. Here are some facts that he told me.
Rifle and Pistol books sold
1993 about 5700
1994 about 4100
1995 about 4400
and the numbers have been rising slowly over the past couple of years.
Entries in NRA approved matchs per year for 2002 were about
5100 High Power
14900 smallbore
881 for Air Rifle
8855 for Black Pwder
3526 for Lever Action
He also said High Power Across the Course Rifle shooting was by far the most popular event.
He felt that equipment cost was not a factor in the number of participants. Pointing out that the Black Pwder numbers have been going up rapidly and their rifles and equipment are very expensive.
Please don't take the above numbers as fbeing exact. I tried to write as we were talking.
Personally, I think the more people introduced to the sport the more will stay in the sport. So bring a friend to your next match. And talk about your sport to your friends and co-workers. Display a trophy or plaque in your home or office. Every little bit helps.
Lucho
