About twenty minutes ago, the ever popular Ladies' Basic Pistol class began at the NRA Headquarters Range. Usually ranging from 12 to 18 students, it can be an effort just to make it through the door.

"It's the most popular class we have," said Customer Service Representative Debbie Crews. "Keeping it at that number means more personalized lessons for the women who attend."

Take place over the course of two days, the class is unique in that students move from the classroom to the range in a matter of minutes instead of days. That way, the lessons they learn are still fresh in their mind.

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To give employees a head start on time with their families this week, NRA Headquarters will close at noon tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holiday and will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday as well. Normal business hours will resume starting at 8:30 on Monday, November 28th. If you're planning a trip to NRA Headquarters over the holiday, here's some important information on operating hours for this holiday week: 

• The NRA Headquarters Range opens for normal business hours tomorrow (Wednesday) from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, and reopens on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  
  
• The world-famous NRA National Firearms Museum and Gift Shop will operate under normal business hours tomorrow (Wednesday) from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, and reopens on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As always, admission is free.
  
  
• The NRA Cafe will serve breakfast until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, but will not be serving lunch Wednesday afternoon and will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday.

Yesterday marked the Fourth Annual NRA Veterans Day Shoot at the Headquarters Range. As well attended as ever, the evening opened up with a welcome from NRA President David Keene, Executive Director of General Operations Kayne Robinson and NRA Boardmember Dennis Willing.

"Having you here gives us an opportunity to say thanks," Keene told the veterans. "This is your range and tonight is our way of thanking you what you've done for this country."

"Military and Law Enforcement make up a very important part of our membership," said Robinson. "Even old, retired military guys like me."

Soon enough, everyone headed out to the range. With choices ranging from a .22 pistol to a .357 revolver to Mossberg 510 to a HK 91 .308, there was plenty to keep the volunteer range officers busy. Rotating from station to station, everyone in attendance had the chance to shoot everyone in the house. Then came the raffle.

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The NRA Headquarters Range in Fairfax, Virginia will be hosting their third annual Veteran's Day shoot tomorrow starting at 6 pm. There the fifteen lanes of the NRA range promise to be filled with everything from a .22 pistol to a Garand rifle to a shotgun or two. And we're sorry to report that the slots and the waiting lists are filled to the gills.

"First we invite those who participated in last year's event," said Veteran's Day Coordinator Sylvia Schneider. "Most, if not all, said yes right away. It's a great night that we're proud to hold every year."

The firearms for tomorrow night will come from the National Firearms Museum and from the personal collection of several NRA staff members. We'll also have staff on site to serve as Range Safety Officers, load the magazines and sweep up the brass.

We'll be there to lend a hand, take some pictures and maybe squeeze off a round or two.

Fairfax, Virginia - Australian singer/songwriter Steve Lee has been busy over the past few years. On the heels of his YouTube mega-hit "I Like Guns," found on an album of the same name, Steve is preparing to release the aptly-named followup "Everybody Likes Guns" some time in November.

To make sure all his bases were covered, he stopped by the National Rifle Association here in Fairfax, Virginia to take a spin through the National Firearms Museum as well as the NRA Headquarters Range. Steve and his crew browsed through the firearms, took some pictures, shot some video and met up with a few friends.

For more on Steve Lee, visit his website at ilikeguns.com.au.

Fairfax, Virginia - A somewhat familiar head popped into my office this afternoon — that of NRA Headquarters Range Manager Greg Wodack. That's when I realized that I haven't said anything about the range in far too long. So here's a little something about the range.

With 15 positions open seven days a week, the NRA Headquarters Range has played host to Top Shot's Iain Harrison, our Veteran's Day shoot, filming of Larry the Cable Guy's Only in America as well as a variety of matches and seminars.

And for $18.00 an hour, make that $14 for all NRA Members, you can stop by and shoot at the Headquarters Range too. There are also a variety of membership rates for family members, Law Enforcement Officers and members of the Military.

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The Friends of NRA TV Show has been enjoying great success during their inaugural season on the Outdoor Channel. On Sunday night's episode, we saw more of host's Matt Duff and Jessie Harrison adventures in the Nation's Capital, at NRA Headquarters, as well as Matt's trip to Brady Creek Ranch with Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) participant Ryan Montgomery.

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Earlier this week, NRAblog told you that Larry the Cable Guy was here at NRA Headquarters last summer shooting episodes of his new show Only in America. Flanked by NRA National Firearms Museum Senior curator Phil Schreier, Larry met with Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, toured the museum, and took some time on the range for a little target practice.

All of this was aired last Tuesday night at 9pm eastern standard time on the History Channel. And for those of you who missed it, or for those who want to see it again, you're in luck! A replay of that episode, astutely titled, "Larry Shoots Guns" airs again tonight (Sunday the 27th of February) at 10pm eastern.

John Parker from the NRA's Competitive Shooting Division sends NRAblog the following:

NRA Spring Fling Set for April 16 & 17

The 2011 Spring Fling/Ken Quandahl Smallbore Rifle Memorial will be contested April 16-17, 2011, at the NRA Headquarters Indoor Range in Fairfax, Virginia.

Part of the NRA's Competitive Shooting Division, this tournament is a smallbore rifle/light rifle program.

The Spring Fling is fired indoors at 50 yards, three positions, using any sights – an excellent event to get prepared for the outdoor season. The course of fire is forty shots in each of the prone, standing, and kneeling positions fired on the NRA conventional A-23 target. There is also a two-person “paper” team match using the scores from the individual championship to compute team scores.

Three relays are scheduled per day, starting at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Registration for the Spring Fling is on a first-come, first-served basis. Only 90 total competitors will be able to compete due to range limitations. Call 703-267-1475 to register for the Spring Fling and to request a tournament program.