Friends of NRA dinner raises funds for local shooting programs

    Dozens of firearms were raffled, auctioned and won as prizes — everything but retailed at the third annual Phillips County Friends of NRA dinner, held in the Phillips County Event Center March 22.
    Organizer Tracy Simpson said the event brought close to 175 firearms enthusiasts to the center and raised over $10,000 for shooting sports in the county.
    “This year has been great, and we’re definitely up from last year,” she said.
    Half of the funds from the event went back to the Friends of NRA. The organization’s state treasurer, Alan Caldwell, stressed that the National Rifle Association-affiliated nonprofit doesn’t contribute to the NRA’s lobbying efforts. Its main objective is supporting educational programs within groups like 4-H, Boy Scouts of America and Women on Target.
    Caldwell said Friends of NRA doesn’t invite political speakers. The organization even discourages political talk among attendees during dinner.
    “You can’t stop people from talking about politics, but we don’t have slogans, and we don’t have politicians coming in and preaching,” he said. “Our goal is to reach out to people who aren’t that familiar with guns.”

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