Millions of Americans, young and old, enjoy the shooting sports as recreation. Through NRA sponsored shooting programs and marksmanship courses, young shooters have been introduced to the thrill of shooting at ranges and summer camps across the nation. This initiation to the concentration and dedication needed to enjoy a lifetime of shooting can begin at an early age, and the associated lesson of firearm safety will be remembered well after the course has been completed.

Shooting teaches discipline and respect for firearms. For more than 125 years, the National Rifle Association has been the leader in promoting shooting programs and firearms safety for young people. The NRA's continued mission, in partnership with other national organizations including the Boy Scouts, 4-H, and the American Legion is to teach young Americans about the safe and responsible use of firearms. Whether firing an air rifle, BB gun, pistol, rifle or shotgun, the same enjoyment can be found by shooters of all generations.

Daisy's Red Ryder and NRA Centennial BB guns imitate adult arms as they are patterned after the lever-action Winchester 1873 rifle and Colt Single Action Army revolver. The BB gun was an adolescent mainstay for many young Americans, who learned to shoot with a BB gun in their back yards or nearby woods.