Gun club in Jackson
teaches firearm safety
Free program will allow
young children and teens
to use real weapons

BY DICK METZGAR

Staff Writer

JACKSON — Children’s fascination with guns starts when they play "cops and robbers" with toy guns, watch action shows on television and, later, when they participate in such sports as hunting and target shooting with real weapons and live ammunition.

Therefore, it is imperative that they learn a healthy respect for guns, which can kill when handled recklessly.

With that in mind, the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club is sponsoring its Second Annual Youth Day program at its 180-acre facility from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 22. The facility, which has a variety of shooting ranges, is 0.2 miles east on Stump Tavern Road off Route 528, about 2.5 miles west of the intersection of Route 528 and Route 571.

Space for the Youth Day will be limited — 150 youngsters can be accommodated — so participants must register. Those who wish to participate should do so at www.CJRPC.com.

The objective of this safety program is to teach participating youngsters good sportsmanship and marksmanship, according to Sam D. Zimmerman, Rumson, a retired dentist and member of the club.

The free program is open to youngsters from ages 10 to 18, Zimmerman said.

"I have been around guns for more than 50 years," said Zimmerman, 61, an avid hunter and marksman. "I shot my first gun at the age of 10. I have always come back to shooting because I have found it enjoyable, fun and challenging, but it is important that young people know and follow safety rules."

Between 120 and 130 youngsters participated in the program last year, Zimmerman said.

"I found it very interesting to work with the youngsters," Zimmerman said. "I found that about half of the children that turn up for the program are novices, while the others have had some experience with guns. I found that mostly they like shotguns and shooting clay pigeons. Some of them are good shots right away."

According to Zimmerman, National Rifle Association-certified instructors will be on hand to guide the participants on the safe and proper handling of sporting arms. The youngsters will have an opportunity after all safety requirements have been met to shoot targets with live ammunition. Instruction will be on a one-to-one basis with supervision at all times while shooting. A parent or legal guardian must accompany every participant.

The club, which was organized in the 1960s and has 2,500 members, maintains very strict rules, Zimmerman said. Alcohol and prescription medication are strictly forbidden at the shooting facility.

Three basic safety rules are drilled into the youngsters, as they are with any beginning shooter, Zimmerman said.

"The first rule is to always have a gun pointed in a safe direction, in which no harm can be done if the weapon accidentally discharges," Zimmerman said. "The second rule is always to have the gun unloaded until your are ready to shoot. The third rule is to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. It is important to remember that a firearm is a mechanical device and mechanical devices don’t always act as advertised."

Zimmerman said parents can teach their children how to act responsibly through the proper use of firearms.

"Children have to be taught not to fear firearms, but to respect them," he said. "Children have to be taught responsibility. When parents put trust in youngsters and show confidence in them, they will act responsibly. They will have self-control. This is important for anyone who is using a firearm."

Zimmerman said families that own firearms should not bring them on Youth Day. Firearms and ammunition will be provided free of charge.