Earlier this season, Eddie Eagle joined a select cast of mascots and public servants for Heroes Day at the Florida Marlins' Sun Life Stadium. Always up to the challenge, Eddie (costume courtesy of a grant from the Florida FONRA) took his place along side his fellow honorees during the game's opening ceremony.

"It was great to be included in such esteemed company," said Eric Lipp, Manager of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program. "We're always happy to take advantage of any opportunity to keep spreading Eddie's life saving message; If you see a gun, Stop. Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult."

Heroes Day was a special event where the Marlins honored "local Super Heroes from the Fire and Police Departments." In addition to those from the Fire and Police Services, each nominated by their respective departments, Eddie was also paired with McGruff the Crime Dog and Marlins' mascot Billy Marlin.

Created in 1988, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program has reached more than 23 million children in all 50 states. For more information on Eddie Eagle, call the Eddie Eagle Department at (800) 231-0752 or visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie.

A flurry of phone calls on Friday afternoon led to the appearance of NRAblog contributor Lars Dalseide on NRANews.com.

"It was great to be back in the studio and see the guys," said Dalseide. "The only odd part was being in front of the camera instead of behind the scenes."

Before he came to work at the National Rifle Association, Lars was a producer for NRANews. Then his days were spent researching stories, booking guests, and producing the live show. Now things are a touch different.

"On Friday's show, for example, I was able to promote the National Rifle & Pistol Championships, the National Police Shooting Championships, Disabled Shooting clinics, POMA, and more," said Dalseide. "If there's a choice between producing the show and appearing on the show, I'll take appearing every time."

Pictured to the right along side NRANews producer Cameron Gray, Lars ended up staying for the entire show. Before long, he started to creep back into his old producer shoes.

"I was helping with the guests, taking a few calls, and even started making camera suggestions," Dalseide recalled. "That's when I knew it was time to step back. The guys who run the show today do an incredible job. The last thing they need is me mucking up the works."

---

NRANews received a number of calls regarding this interview. You can now view the Lars Dalseide interview on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N87yIvCCbNk

“Brownells, a longtime supporter of the NRA’s Law Enforcement Division, is continuing their support of the 2010 National Police Shooting Championships," Glen Hoyer, Director of NRA Law Enforcement, told us today. NRAblog will be reporting live from beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the duration of the competition, from September 19-23.

"Brownells will have representatives at a booth in the vendor hall this year, so stop by and learn more about their products, and what they have to offer the police community," Hoyer added.

As NRAblog reported, Brownells recently launched www.PoliceStore.com, a powerful website with an increased inventory.

Check it out today, and for the latest on the National Police Shooting Championships, stay tuned to NRAblog!

Earlier this year, Jerome Soltis of Soltis Rifles placed a call to NRA's Law Enforcement Division. He just learned of the Division's 50th Anniversary and wanted to make a donation. It arrived a few days ago in the form of a custom-made rifle.

A Signature Custom, Model T (Tactical), .308 Winchester rifle built by Soltis himself.

"I read a piece in American Rifleman that explained how some police departments were looking to upgrade their arsenals with more SWAT type arms," said Soltis. "This tactical rifle was designed for just that purpose."

While we can't go into all the specs, here are a few of the highlights:

• Shilen trigger
• Remington 700 action
• Krieger Match-Grade Barrel
• Vais Varmint Muzzle Brake
• Bottom Metal of one-piece Dakota steel
• DuraCoat painted Soltis Rifles custom tiger stripes
• 40mm Leupold VX-III 4.5-14X Tactical Scope with Mil-Dot Reticle

"This is an incredibly generous donation on the part of Jerome," said Law Enforcement Director Glen Hoyer. "What makes it all the more impressive is that he just called us out of the blue with the offer. This rifle is going to make someone very happy come September."

That's because September, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is when and where the rifle will officially be raffled off. Serving as headliner for the National Police Shooting Championship Awards Banquet raffle, the Soltis rifle is a welcome addition to the copious collection of firearms already scheduled for the drawing.

"It's a great way to wrap things up," said Hoyer. "These guys spend a few days competing against some of the best shots in the world. Hopefully they'll pick up a few pointers and walk away with a nice prize or two. And, I have to admit, I wouldn't mind walking away with the Soltis."

Once again, NRAblog carries the message of Gunny R. Lee Ermey straight from the range at the National Police Shooting Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. What? You aren't keeping up with your NRA Law Enforcement training? Don't let Gunny know ...

Director of NRA's Law Enforcement Division, Glen Hoyer, sent NRAblog the following on Retired and Off-duty Officer Insurance Coverage available through the NRA:

When President Bush signed the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act in 2004, it was welcomed by retired and active duty officers alike. Retired officers could now carry nationwide and protect themselves from the criminal element they previously put in jail, additionally, active-duty officers no longer had confusion over whether or not they could carry on or off-duty out of their jurisdiction, or even out of state.

It didn’t take long for retired officers to realize they had no liability protection, and, although the likelihood of a deadly force encounter is reduced when retired, it’s still present. Would a deadly force encounter, when retired or off-duty and out of your jurisdiction, be covered by your home owners insurance? Would you have any insurance protection?

What about active-duty officers who are out of their jurisdiction on vacation and are forced to defend themselves? Will their agencies liability coverage extend to them?

Until recently, if you could find coverage it was generally prohibitively expensive, or had law enforcement exclusions.

Problem Solved

With hundreds of thousands of retired public law enforcement officers around the country and over 800,000 active-duty public law enforcement officers, it was obvious there was a need to provide a special self-defense insurance policy for them. With the training and experience these law enforcement officers have, shouldn’t they be given good coverage at a reduced price? More...

Eddie Eagle Program Coordinator John Draper sends NRAblog the following update from The Volunteer State:

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office Eddie Eagle program recently took flight and landed at the Vanleer Elementary School in Tennessee. Deputy Amy Longtin and Captain Dwayne Hayes' presentation to the K-3 graders and their teachers was nothing less than a big hit.

If all goes according to schedule, Captain Hayes will be meeting with all the school principals in his county at the beginning of the 2010 school year to start planning and preparing for next year's Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® programs.

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office received funds for the purchase of their very own Eddie Eagle mascot costume from a grant awarded in 2009 from the NRA Foundation (supported by the Friends of NRA) in Tennessee. Including the recent edition in Tennessee, there are more than 280 Eddie Eagle Mascot Costumes spread across the United States.

For more information about NRA Foundation grants, please visit us on the web at nrafoundation.org/grants/statefund.asp

Are you a serving or retired law enforcement officer? Handy with a pistol? Feel like showing your stuff alongside the best pistol shooting policemen in the world? Then it's time to sign up for the 2010 National Police Shooting Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

With online registration available, the National Police Shooting Championship (NPSC) is easily accessible to all active and retired police and military. We're told the experience is a great test of accuracy under pressure. And you don't have to qualify before the event -- just make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, show up, and compete.

Held in New Mexico since 2006, NPSC is a traditional Police Pistol Combat tournament. Competitors spend five days shooting more than 30 matches before the champion is crowned.

For a chance to shoot at the side of previous champs like Phil Hemphill or Robert Vadasz, take a minute to sign up for the 2010 National Police Shooting Championships now. Even if you don't walk away with the title, there are still plenty of prizes and fun to go around.

Wayne LaPierre will be the keynote speaker at the 48th Annual National Police Shooting Championships (NPSC) Awards Banquet in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Awards Banquet, open to all NPSC competitors and vendors, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, at the Albuquerque Hilton on University Boulevard.

“On the 50th Anniversary of NRA’s Law Enforcement Division, our brand of firearms instruction has set the standard for America’s men and women in blue,” said Division Director Glen Hoyer. “Wayne LaPierre will address the enormous achievements to date in training America’s law officers and look to the challenges we still face with domestic security concerns in our post 9-11 world.”

Established in 1960, the NRA Law Enforcement Division (LED) has trained more than 50,000 Law Enforcement instructors with a focus on providing officers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to WIN a lethal encounter.

First held in 1962, National Police Shooting Championships is directed by NRA’s Law Enforcement Division, and supported in part by the Davidson’s Law Enforcement Endowment and the Law Enforcement Training Endowment of the NRA Foundation, including generous donations from more than 100 firearm and equipment manufacturers and businesses.

Live updates and results from the 2010 NPSC will be available right here at NRAblog!

R. Lee Ermey (the infamous Gunny) straight from the range at the National Police Shooting Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico with a few choice words for Law Enforcement officers who don't participate in competitions. Take his advice and find a competition near you.

Eight paper targets and two separate Firing Areas make up the final course from the Fairfax Tactical Police Competition. Sounds simple enough, but there are a few twists to add to the mix. First, you can only load six rounds at a time. Second, all reloads must take place within designated Firing Areas. Third, the Range Office will slip a dummy round into your first magazine.

On a hot sunny day, clearing that dummy round could make all the difference.

One of the more challenging courses at the Fairfax Tactical Police Competition came to life at the “Gang Shoot in the Park” course. Here's how it went:

Jump from your car with rifle in hand and hit four steel targets downrange. Leave your rifle and return to the car where you’ll find a shotgun in the trunk. From there you proceed to firing area two where you’ll engage five clay targets. Trick there is that you only have four shells and more targets to engage. That's when the duty handgun comes into play.

Secure the shotgun on your back and move from firing area two to three. Ther.e you’ll find three paper targets behind the trees. and five behind a faux brick wall. It’s a lot to run and shoot in a mere three minutes, but your heart will be pumping!

Katie from NRA Law Enforcement sent NRAblog the following on Eddie Eagle's escapades in Pennsylvania:

Just last month, Eddie Eagle made a handful of appearances at the Otto Eldred Schools in McKean County, Pennsylvania. Reaching up to 745 students during the course of his visits, Eddie had time to share his life-saving message with students and teachers alike. At his side during these outings was McKean County Sherriff Stephen Smith.

McKean County received the Eddie Eagle costume in 2008. Since then, Eddie has been busily visiting schools, community centers, and law enforcement agencies throughout the area to spread: “If you see a gun” Stop. Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.”

Created in 1988, The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program has reached more than 23 million children in all 50 states.

For more information on the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, call the Eddie Eagle Department at (800) 231-0752 or visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie.

Might have taken a while, but it was worth the wait.

Before handing out the trophies, Tournament Director Marc Lipp shared a few words with the crowd:

"On behalf of the National Rifle Association, I want to thank everyone for coming out. I would be remiss if I didn't thank the range staff and I can't tell you how happy we our to be here. If you ever run into the brass here, let them know how much you enjoyed your time here today.

"If you ever need anything, let us know. Please think of us when it comes to training or an armor school. A few years ago a student asked if there was anything the NRA could do about armor schools. So we asked the manufacturers and they came whole hog to offer the course for free. Glock, HK, Benelli, Colt, all the big ones agreed to come. Getting a slot could be hard, we even had one guy come here from Hawaii, so apply online and don't think you lost out if you're on the waiting list."

But enough of that ... let's get on to the winners:

Patrol Division			Tactical Division
Ting Sun, McKinney Police Department	330.75		C.A., US Army	286.94
Kevin Cates, Durham Police Dept.	338.21		Larry Houck, Department of Army	292.74
Charles Swinford, Montgomery Co. Police Dept.	339.57		Robert Windsor, Wake Co. Sherrif's	303.04
Jerry Tuscano, Perry Nuclear	348.06		Robert Kamensky, Montgomery Co. Police	318.25
Michael Lane, Lewisville Police Dept.	348.09		Jay Bodnar, Perry Nuclear	360.39

There's always a chance that head shots are the only option left. The threat is hiding behind his intended victim, he's wearing body armor, or it's the only thing visible while peering out a window. This stage requires the officer to make that ever so difficult shot through a number of scenarios, including laying on his side, before the three minute bell is rung.

Be sure to stay tuned. We've almost wrapped up things on the competition side and are waiting on the final scores so the tactical and patrol champ can be crowned.