Team USA made a splash at the Tokyo Olympics, taking home gold medals in multiple shooting-sports events and medaling in others. Seeing these athletes compete—and win—in the shooting sports is a testament to the United States’ rich history of the right to keep and bear arms.
Amber English and Vincent Hancock took home gold medals for women’s and men’s skeet shooting, respectively. English, the top-ranked skeet athlete in the world, went 56 for 60 in the final round, an Olympic record. Hancock, meanwhile, took gold as he missed only one target in his final round, also setting an Olympic record in the process.
In the men’s 10-meter air rifle event, Will Shaner took home gold. At just 20-years-old, he is the second-youngest athlete to take home the gold in the event. Just like English and Hancock, Shaner also set an Olympic record with his gold-medal-winning score.
Though not gold, Americans Mary Tucker and Lucas Kozeniesky brought home the silver medal in the new 10-meter mixed rifle event, taking the United States’ medal count in the shooting sports to four thus far.
These athletes representing our country are inspirations for future generations of young Americans interested in the shooting sports. They also carry with them our storied heritage surrounding our Second Amendment rights.
English, in particular, is more than just an Olympic athlete. She is also a U.S. Army Reserve soldier who trains with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and holds the rank of first lieutenant. What better testament is there to our constitutional right to keep and bear arms than not only being one of the best shooters in the world, but also being ready to defend the stars and stripes?
The NRA also has a long tradition of fostering a love of shooting sports in young people throughout the country, which is itself crucial to preserving America’s heritage. Multiple generations of Americans have become familiar with these very shooting sports thanks to various NRA programs, many of which can be found here.
Also check out the Shooting Sports USA for more comprehensive coverage of shooting sports at the Tokyo Olympics and more. The official schedule for the shooting competitions can be found here and it will be updated with results as the competitions are completed.
