FAIRFAX, Va. - The NRA Foundation is proud to award Boy Scouts of America Troop 1855, located in Folsom, California, with an $8,500 grant for its shotgun merit badge program. The troop, which formed in the 1990s through a group of parent volunteers, will use the grant to purchase shotguns, ammunition, clay targets, an electric thrower, and safety equipment.

"The new firearms and equipment were made available to the troop thanks to Friends of NRA fundraising," said Richard Horn, Troop 1855 Assistant Scoutmaster and El Dorado Sheriff's Department Detective. "They will provide more than 25 scouts aged from 12 years old to teenagers working toward the rank of Eagle Scout with much better access to shooting sports opportunities."

To earn the badge, a scout must learn to handle, clean and operate the three different types of shotgun actions (Pump, Semi and Break-action) and must fire 100 rounds to break no fewer than 50 targets all thrown at the same trajectory.

About The NRA Foundation
Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearm and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shootings sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological, and artistic context. More information about The NRA Foundation can be found online a www.nrafoundation.org.

About Friends of NRA
Friends of NRA is a grassroots fund-raising program that fosters community involvement to organize and, with help from NRA field staff, plan community events for firearms enthusiasts. All net proceeds from Friends of NRA events are allocated to The NRA Foundation, the leading charitable organization in support of the shooting sports. Through NRA Foundation grants for equipment, training materials, range improvements, and more, qualified local, state, and national programs receive aid to involve and inspire a new generation of competitive shooters. Learn more about Friends of NRA a www.friendsofnra.org.

Contact: Kyle Jillson
kjillson@nrahq.org; (703) 267-1595