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August 5, 2025
National Shooting Sports Month Kicking Off with a Bang!
Each year – for the past nine years – recreational shooting sports enthusiasts from coast-to-coast celebrate National Shooting Sports Month® (NSSM) during August. Developed by NSSF to encourage increased participation in hunting and the recreational shooting sports, NSSM is the perfect opportunity for men, women and kids to head to the neighborhood practice range, get in the woods or fields to join in on activities related to America’s greatest pastime and to responsibly and safely exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Taking time to go participate in a hunt or the recreational shooting sports is more common than many may think, with more than 56 million adult and youth Americans participating in some related activity. August is the perfect time to bust some clays, go plink on some steel or punch holes in paper and just have a great time with friends or family.
This year’s NSSM is only just beginning. There’s a full month ahead chock full of events and opportunities at ranges and shooting sports clubs for people to bring a friend along and enjoy. And this year, some heavy hitters are officially supporting NSSM, what it represents and celebrating the millions of men and women who make it possible across the country.
Presidential Message
It’s quite a show of support when the President of the United States offers words of celebration and encouragement towards something and that’s exactly what President Donald J. Trump did to recognize August as National Shooting Sports Month. President Trump released a Presidential Message celebrating National Shooting Sports Month.
“From the earliest days of our great national story, hunters, fishers, sportsmen, and gun owners have carried forth a storied legacy of recreation and competition, proudly embodying our timeless principles of liberty, responsibility, and self-reliance,” the president stated. “This National Shooting Sports Month, my Administration honors these cherished American traditions—and we pledge to keep them alive and flourishing for generations to come.”
The firearm industry welcomes President Trump’s show of support for the recreational shooting sports, and the firearm industry celebrates President Trump’s commitment to preserving Second Amendment rights and is enthusiastically encouraged by his pledge to keep alive the American tradition of responsible firearm ownership for law-abiding citizens for future generations.
Such a strong message of support to the firearm industry and Second Amendment rights and the shooting sports pastimes coming from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is quite a reversal from the previous administration which spent four years attacking an industry it labeled as “the enemy.” With his message of support for NSSM, President Trump reiterated his promise to defend Second Amendment freedoms that he made during the campaign for office when he stated, “For as long as I am President, the Federal Government will abide by the premise that the God-given right to bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Secretary of the Interior
The Trump administration has been making strides to make accessing the public shooting ranges easier for gun owners. In June, NSSF applauded Secretary Burgum’s signing of a Secretarial Order to begin implementation of key provisions of H.R. 6492, the NSSF-supported Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which was signed into law last year. That legislation designated leadership responsibilities, established coordination mechanisms and ensured timeline compliance with all statutory deadlines to expand outdoor recreation opportunities on U.S. public lands and waters. The initial implementation orders are a tremendous win for America’s gun owners and recreational target shooters, who overwhelmingly fund wildlife conservation in America.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) got in on the action too. The USFWS posted to Facebook, “August is National Shooting Sports Month. Let’s celebrate safe, responsible target shooting and the role it plays in conservation,” adding, “Whether you’re a first-time archer or a seasoned trap shooter, there’s a place for you in this growing community.”
Congressional Action
Leaders in the halls of Congress are also stepping up to celebrate the month. U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and U.S. Rep. Tony Wied (R-Wis.) sponsored a Congressional proclamation resolution recognizing the contributions of hardworking men and women and small business firearm manufacturers to the U.S. economy, and celebrating the month of August as National Shooting Sports Month.
“Idaho’s small business firearm manufacturers drive innovation, prioritize responsible gun ownership, and protect our Second Amendment traditions,” said Sen. Risch in a press release. “I am proud to recognize these important American manufacturers and designate August as National Shooting Sports Month.”
“Wisconsin is home to many incredible small firearm manufacturers who help drive our economy and ensure access to safe, reliable firearms to exercise our Second Amendment rights,” added Congressman Wied. “I’m proud to join Senator Risch in recognizing their contributions by designating August as National Shooting Sports Month.”
The Members highlighted the importance of the firearm industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy, including more than 380,000 jobs and an economic impact of more than $91.7 billion in annual economic output.
“Small manufacturers of firearms play a critical role preserving craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the United States and are true anchors in small communities across the country,” the Members said in their release.
Governors From Coast to Coast
Governors are some of the best leaders when it comes to the firearm industry and celebrating the Second Amendment; and they are letting their support for NSSM be known, crystal clear. Already at the start of August, just as activities and celebrations are beginning, at least 16 governors have issued official proclamations celebrating NSSM and the contributions the firearm industry makes within their respective states. That number equals the total number of proclamations issued in some previous years – after a full month of NSSM activities. And to demonstrate the broad appeal of the recreational shooting sports, governors from both sides of the political aisle have signed proclamations this year.
In the Rocky Mountain region, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon have signed proclamations. From the Great Plains, North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed a proclamation, as did South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation and so did Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun joined in for the Hoosier State, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey did as well, and Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an NSSM proclamation, too.
In the South, governors have come through strong as well. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a 2025 NSSM proclamation. So did Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
Lastly – at least for now – Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a proclamation, too, demonstrating his continued support for the firearm industry and the Second Amendment in his state where NSSF hosts the SHOT Show® each year in Las Vegas.
There’s still a full month ahead for millions of Americans to join in participate in celebrating a month designed to responsibly celebrate the Second Amendment and all the fun activities that go along with it. National Shooting Sports Month encourages all Americans – including the more than 26 million first-time firearm owners since 2020 – to experience the excitement of target shooting while promoting safe and responsible firearm use. Across the country, ranges, retailers, manufacturers, and industry partners are joining forces to host special events, training sessions and promotions throughout the month.
If you’re looking for ways to join the fun, click here for more information and don’t miss out. From The White House and the halls of Congress, down to governors’ residences and the neighborhood firearm retailer and range in communities across the country, millions are celebrating August as National Shooting Sports Month and you don’t want to miss out.
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August is National Shooting Sports Month®—Celebrate All Month Long!
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