Friends of NRA fundraising is best known for its banquets, but our volunteers and staff are always finding creative new ways to raise funds, connect with their communities and make a difference in the shooting sports. In Western Pennsylvania, that creativity has taken to the road.
A newly completed mobile BB gun range trailer is making its way to community events across the region, giving young people the opportunity to experience shooting sports in a safe, controlled and welcoming environment.
“We wanted to be able to reach out to the youth and give them an introduction to firearms for free when some may not have that opportunity,” said Cory Schaeffer, the Western Pennsylvania Friends of NRA Field Representative. “This mobile BB range opens the door for us to do that.”
The BB gun trailer is truly a community project. Thanks to the generosity of several donors and supporters, the entire project was completed with zero out-of-pocket expense for Friends of NRA. The project began when Murrysville Gun Club generously donated the trailer. From there, supporters stepped up to help transform it into a fully functional mobile range. Individuals Robert Rizzardi and NRA Board Member Alex Carroll contributed to the project, while Affordable Interiors of Indiana, Pennsylvania, donated all of the carpeting for the trailer's interior. Zip Targets of Kennesaw, Georgia, donated the range systems.
Together, these contributions turned an idea into a mobile resource that can introduce the next generation to the fundamentals of shooting sports and firearm safety.
“This will help give first-time gun shooters the very basics of firearm safety in a controlled environment by showing them the correct way to handle a firearm at a young age,” Schaeffer explained. “If they do not take up shooting, every child and young adult should be taught the basics of what they should do if they see a firearm.”
The mobile BB range made its debut at the Indiana County Fair, where more than 350 youth participants had the opportunity to try the range.
Its first outing was just the beginning. The trailer will continue making appearances at community events throughout Western Pennsylvania, bringing shooting sports and firearm-safety education directly to local communities.
In 2027, the mobile range will make its way to the Great American Outdoor Show, where it will be located at Booth 3222. Kids will be able to experience the BB range for free, while adults will be encouraged to purchase an Ultimate Western Pennsylvania Raffle ticket to support the program.
It’s a great example of how Friends of NRA fundraising can go beyond the banquet hall, turning community support into opportunities that have a lasting impact.
Organizations interested in having the Western Pennsylvania mobile range at their event can contact Western Pennsylvania NRA Field Representative Cory Schaeffer at [email protected] or (878) 295-1746.
From fundraising events to county fairs and outdoor expos, Western Pennsylvania Friends of NRA is taking shooting sports on the road one community at a time.
