National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association facts for kids
The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) is the biggest club in the United States for people who enjoy muzzleloading. A muzzleloading gun is an old-fashioned firearm that is loaded from the front end, or "muzzle."
Founded in 1933, the NMLRA works to keep American history alive. They do this through shooting sports and fun events that feel like stepping back in time.
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Joining the NMLRA
Anyone can become a member of the NMLRA by paying yearly dues. Members get special benefits and can take part in all the club's activities. To see a full list of benefits, you can visit their official website.
The NMLRA also supports smaller, local muzzleloading clubs all across the United States and Canada. These are called charter clubs, and they host their own local shooting events.
The NMLRA's Home in Friendship, Indiana
The main headquarters for the NMLRA is in a town called Friendship, Indiana. It's about a 40-mile drive from Cincinnati, Ohio. The property has both modern buildings and areas that look like they are from the 1700s or 1800s. This mix shows the many different interests of the club's members.
Museums and Halls
In Friendship, you can visit The Museum of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. This museum is inside a historic building called The John Linsey Rand House.
There is also a special building called Gunmakers Hall. Inside, you can see incredible firearms made by talented modern gunmakers who use old-time methods.
Shooting Ranges and Camping
The NMLRA has several shooting ranges. The Walter Cline Modern Range is for modern-style muzzleloading competitions. The Curly Gostomski Primitive Range is for people who want a more historical shooting experience. Besides shooting, people can also practice throwing knives and tomahawks!
During big events, a "Commercial Row" is set up. Here, skilled craftspeople sell everything you might need for muzzleloading, from clothing to tools.
The site also has campgrounds for visitors. You can bring a modern camper or stay in a "primitive" area with canvas tents and tipis, just like in the old days. Leashed pets are welcome.
National Competitions and Events
The NMLRA hosts two huge national shooting competitions every year in Friendship.
- The Spring National Shoot happens in mid-June.
- The National Championship Shoot takes place in mid-September.
At these events, shooters from all over the world come to compete. They use all kinds of muzzleloading firearms, including rifles, pistols, shotguns, and muskets. There are even contests for knife and tomahawk throwing.
Throughout the year, Friendship also hosts other events, such as:
- A Youth Shoot for young people
- A Family Shoot
- The National Women's Weekend Shoot
- NRA National Muzzleloading Championships
Historical Reenactments
The NMLRA helped start a series of events called National Regional Primitive Rendezvous. A "rendezvous" is a type of historical reenactment where people dress up and live like the fur trappers and pioneers of early America. These events were very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1998, the NMLRA created a new group, the National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation (NRLHF), to run these events. The NMLRA still supports them, but the NRLHF manages the day-to-day planning.
Other Cool Programs
The NMLRA has many other activities for its members.
The Longhunter Program
The Longhunter program is for members who enjoy hunting with muzzleloading guns. It's a challenging and exciting way to hunt big game. The program has its own system for recognizing trophy-winning hunts.
Education and Scholarships
The NMLRA believes in education. The organization teaches people how to safely use muzzleloaders and helps train people to run its events.
The association also offers college scholarships to its members or their children. These scholarships are given based on good grades in high school and a student's financial need.
See also
- National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation
- Statue of Hope - Wilson Memorial (original NMLRA headquarters landowner), Friendship, Indiana
