Beaver Run Rod and Gun Club has been awarded a grant by the NRA for the improvement of their range facilities.

A check for $1,850 was received recently at their Mahoning Township sporting club.The grant is the result of an NRA sanctioned pistol league which the club has been conducting for the past seven years at their pistol range. The outdoor league enables shooters to compete and to obtain NRA classification for shooters from marksman to high master.According to Tom Tkach, club vice present and NRA Chief Range Officer and trainer, the league has been fun for the shooting members, which has averaged about 40 per year for the 20-week spring and summer league.Beginners receive instruction and training on how to properly handle and shoot their handgun.In addition to the pistol league, the club recently conducted an NRA Basic Pistol Course Class at their club that was open to the public. The two-day class consisted of classroom instruction and range participation where students were able to fire their handguns.Fourteen students - nine females and five males - completed the course and were awarded certificates from the NRA. Conducting the class was NRA instructor Fred Pickard, who, according to Tkach, "has greatly helped our shooters in the technique and safety of shooting at the club."Along with Pickard and Tkach, other NRA members assisting in the training were Ed Horowski and "Spanky" Smith.In addition to the Pistol League bulls-eye competition, Tkach said the club plans to include action shooting events, which requires renovations of the present pistol and rifle range.The club range is also the home for local police, sheriffs department, and Homeland Security personnel to train and qualify for their protective duties.Only club members are permitted to use the range. The only exemption is a club-sponsored shooting event where member and guest would apply.