Today marks day one at the National Rifle Association's Annual Meeting at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. In addition to everything that the city has to offer, there's plenty of things that you should and can do once you arrive.

 

1. Registration
   Before you hit the floor you have to hit the registration desk. Not only will you receive the proper credentials, but you'll also lay your hand upon a bag full of NRA goodies. Located under the cover section of the 10th Street, it's the first place to be before heading into the Lawrence.
2. "Pyramyd Air" Air Gun Range
   Opening their doors at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the "Pyramyd Air" Air Gun Range gives you the opportunity to show your skills with an air rifle or pistol. With a one dollar ($1.00) fee for five shots, there's no reason why you can't take the time to get yourself a bullseye.
3. NRAstore
   If you're looking to walk away from the Annual Meeting with any kind of NRA gear, then the NRAstore is for you. From shirts to hats to towels and glasses, the NRAstore has anything and everything you're looking for. Located on the second floor, you can get all the shooting gear, tactical accessories, firearm books and more at the NRAstore,
4. Antique Guns & Gold Showcase
   Have an old coin? Better yet, have an old gun? One that's been handed down from generation to generation until finally winding up in your hands? Always wondered what it might go for at auction? Then the Antique Guns & Gold Showcase is for you. Have the experts from the NRA National Firearms Museum take a look at your treasure and give you the scoop.
5. National NRA Foundation Banquet
   Now this event does require a ticket, but it's well worth the price. Kicking off at 5 p.m. in the Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom, the evening promises to include a great meal, tons of beautiful items to bid upon, and find out who will walk away with the 100th Anniversary Edition Master Engraved Colt Model 1911.

 

While this year's Annual Meeting does not officially start until tomorrow, there are a few things going on today that attendees can take part in:

• 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Member registration
• 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - "Pyramyd Air" Air Gun Range
• 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - NRA Store
• 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Antique Guns & Gold Showcase 
• 5:00 pm - National NRA Foundation Banquet

Pennsylvania-based W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is one of the many exhibitors who will have a booth set up at the National Rifle Association's 140th Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In addition to their regular collection of knives, Case (established way back in 1899) is bringing a special collector's item with them this year. That special item is a knife made exclusively to commemorate the 2011 Annual Meeting. Promised to be prominently on display at the Case booth, #1257 in the exhibition hall, the knife will be on sale to a select few throughout the weekend.

Packaged in a collector's gift tin, this knife features a genuine smooth bone handle trapper with exclusive NRA artwork laser-engraved on it. If you're interested, don't hesitate to find the Case booth because these knives were made as a limited edition of 150.

For each knife sold, Case will make a contribution back to the NRA Foundation to assist with the cost of their National NRA Foundation Banquet & Auction this Thursday. 

Courtesy of Senior Event Services Coordinator Nicole McMahon, here are the Friends of NRA events for the next week.

At the 2011 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, coming up April 28-30, there are two great NRA Foundation events being held for NRA members.

The National NRA Foundation Banquet on April 28 offers attendes the chance to win great prizes among a selection of firearms, gear and hunting trips. If you'd like to attend, hurry and buy your ticket before none are left.

The second event is the Steel for a Steal gun raffle being held April 28-29 where participants can win one of 75 firearms for just a $20 ticket. Every 100 tickets sold a winner will be drawn and a new gun raffle started.

Learn about these two events and all the other great offerings at this year's NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits on the official website.

List of events below the jump. More

From The Taft Independent:

The Taft Sportsmen

The Taft Sportsmen's Club was the recent recipient of over $20,000 in grants from the NRA Foundation. The NRA Foundation is a non-profit organization which raises funds for local and national firearms related projects through their Friends of NRA dinner events.

The Taft Sportsmen's Club was awarded a $5800 grant for their annual junior pheasant hunt generally held in November. This is the eighth year that the NRA Foundation has awarded the TSC a grant for their pheasant hunt.

More

The Blue Book of Gun Values is must for anyone involved in the shooting sports. Whether you're a hunter, a collector, or a competitive shooter, the blue book is probably one of the first places you should start when purchasing or selling a firearm. Last year's edition, the thirty-first, featured leather and holster designing legend John Bianchi ... namesake for the MidwayUSA/NRA Bianchi Cup. The thirty-second edition, due for release in April of 2011, spotlights another prominent firearms heavyweight.

Gracing the cover of edition thirty-two is Frank Brownell, President and Trustee of the NRA Foundation and CEO of gun parts, firearm accessories, and gunsmithing tool supplier Brownells.

"Last year, the thirty-first Edition’s cover featured legendary gunleather innovator John Bianchi,” said Blue Book Publications’ Author and Publisher S.P. Fjestad in a press release. “Frank joins a long list of firearms industry leaders we’ve honored on the cover, such as WWII hero and past NRA President Joe Foss, and publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen."

Brownells has been an active supporter of the National Rifle Association for years. In addition to their work with the Foundation, Frank and Pete (Brownells company President) also sponsor the Brownells/NRA Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors. At SHOT Show this January, they found a moment to sit down with the youths and share a few stories.

"It was an honor to be chosen as an Ambassador," said Thomas Cunningham of Canyon, Texas. "Going to SHOT Show and meeting with the Brownells was an incredible experience. I never thought that people so important would have the time to speak to a bunch of kids."

According to their website, the first edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values was released in 1980. Twenty years later it was available online and now they've expanded to include titles such as Ammo Encyclopedia, the Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Arms, and the Blue Book of Tactical Firearms. Each intended to provide even more information for firearms enthusiasts everywhere.

“The Blue Book and Brownells both work darn hard to make sure the gun buyer gets the most value for his dollar," said Frank Brownell. "(W)e make a good team,”

Instead of the Sportsman's Auction this year at the 2011 NRA Annual Meetings, the NRA Foundation has proudly announced a new, exciting fast-paced gun raffle to take its place. Sponsored by Cabelas and Leupold, the new event goes by the catchy moniker "Steel for a Steal."

"Steel for a Steal" is a gun raffle taking place Friday and Saturday, April 28-29th, between 10:00 am - 4:00 pm in the 3rd floor atrium of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Participants will have a chance to win one of 75 firearms for just a $20 ticket! The action will be intense with winners being drawn for every 100 tickets sold.

Participants need not be present to win, but you'll want to stick around for the fun - and to get it on the next raffle! 

View the Steel for a Steal flyer here.

Nearly three decades ago, Big Sky Carvers was started by a man and his father who wanted to share their hand carved duck decoys with the world. Ducks were soon joined by bears, who were joined by moose, and so on until the present collection of 1,500 products helps bring carvings of our wilderness into your home.

The Montana-based company is populated by employees who all share a love of the outdoors and creating spectacular works of art.

Big Sky Carvers is also a big supporter of the NRA and its role in the shooting world.

Recently, founder and owner Marc Pierce along with Kern Stevenson, VP of Sales & Marketing, made a $53,950.50 contribution to The NRA Foundation for the support of shooting sports organizations across the United States.

In this photo, the two are featured (Marc on the left, Kern on the right) presenting the check to Kyle Weaver, Managing Director of NRA's Field Operations.

Thanks to Big Sky Carvers and everyone else that donates to the NRA, we will be able to continue providing quality programs for gun enthisiasists into the future.

Oregon's Argus Observer highlights an NRA Grant in action:

NRA grant helps Weiser gun club make key improvements

Weiser — Realities come from a dream.

Jay Border, Joe Baker and Scott Real had a dream of having a warm clubhouse with restrooms and running water at the Weiser Trap and Skeet Club. Now, that dream is a reality, thanks to the National Rifle Association and the Friends of the NRA.

“Every year, the Friends of the NRA, part of the NRA Foundation, holds a banquet for the shooting program. The money from the banquet goes towards shooting programs,” Border said. “Half of the money stays in Idaho, and half of the money goes to fund the national programs.”

Friends of the NRA is the non-profit arm of the foundation, while the NRA is the political arm. The political part goes to Washington D.C. to lobby and provides information to the nation about what it is doing. Friends of the NRA is the shoulder for the Refuse to be a Victim and Eddie Eagle, which provides information to schools about guns and shooting.

“The Friends provided a submission of a grant request, and it was reviewed by our grant review commission, and that’s who decides if our application is denied or approved,” Border said. “Our grant was approved, and we received $13,000 to put ADA accessible bathrooms in our brand new club house.”

Read the full article here.