NRA helps disabled shooters find their mark

Chuck Badger stared down the sight of his air rifle, taking aim at the target placed about 30 feet in front of him inside Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2031.

The rifle let out a small "pop" as the pellet flew toward across the room, leaving a clean hole in the paper.

Like many of the wheelchair-bound shooters at the Fundamentals of Air Rifle shooting class taught by the National Rifle Association's office of Disabled Shooting Services, it was Badger's first time shooting the pellet gun.

"I loved it," he said. "It's so small and hard to hit that thing."

Badger and many others are involved with other sustainable adapted sports, such as basketball, tennis and track. Many participants Saturday at the VFW Post on Jordan Lane were shooting an air rifle for the first time.

Badger said being able to play sports gives people with a physical impairment self confidence and a chance to compete.

The sessions at the VFW Post were the first of many organizers from Bridge II Sports hope to offer people across the state.

Bridge II Sports is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for children and adults who are physically challenged to play team and individual sports.