Supporters of the National Rifle Association can show their support locally by purchasing tickets to the annual Friends of NRA banquet.

The banquet will be held at Cambrian Ridge beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2 and will feature a dinner, live auction, silent auction and special drawings for prizes.

Tickets for the event are $20 each.

The local coordinator, Susan McFerrin Foster, said unlike in past years, she is not asking local businesses to buy tables of tickets, but wants individuals to purchase them.

&uot;I know these are uncertain economic times and do not want this burden on the local business owners,&uot; she said.

Friends of NRA is a grassroots fundraising program that was established by the NRA Foundation in 1993 to help support over 170 educational programs that promote responsible firearm ownership and the shooting sports.

&uot;I truly believe in the benefit of the NRA programs because it teaches our area youth proper firearm handling and management,&uot; she said.

&uot;Through shooting sports they learn the proper handling technique and firing technique that allows them to use guns safely.&uot;

Foster should know a thing or two about handling guns and also teaching gun usage.

She is a 25-year veteran of the teaching profession.

&uot;I think shooting sports are very disciplined,&uot; she said.

&uot;Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a disciplined person.

That is why I became involved.

Also, I feel it is important for women to be able to defend themselves with a handgun if they need to do so.&uot;

Local volunteer committees host shooting events, with the help from the NRA field representative.

Half the proceeds from the banquet are set aside for the NRA Foundation’s national programs with the remaining 50 percent staying in Alabama for programs run here.

Foster said it is important to understand that the money raised with the banquet does not go to salaries or any type of overhead.

&uot;The money raised is strictly for educational purposes,&uot; she said.

The NRA Foundation funds grants for youth shooting programs, women programs, handicap programs, firearm safety programs, hunter education, law enforcement training, marksmanship training and much more.

For more information on the banquet or to purchase tickets call Foster at 382-2566.

Tickets may be purchased H & H Guns, Butler Farmers Co-op, The Smokehouse, Dr. John Stephens, Poole & Poole and McFerrin’s Jewelry.