Reed said he’d never physically saw or touched a gun until he was introduced to firearms through 4-H. He’s now an active part of Montgomery-Preble 4-H Shooting Sports.
As he learned about gun safety and how to shoot, Reed found he was “pretty good at it. I was mostly natural at it.”
He’s participated in three Montgomery County and three Ohio State fairs. He didn’t win at state his first year but enjoyed the fair activities. By the second year, he had had more time to learn about rifles and handguns, was more prepared and placed at state.
This year, he concentrated on shotguns while also working with younger club members on safety demonstrations. He enjoys interacting with the younger members. His project placed locally again this year and he again was off to the Ohio State Fair, where his project was recognized as an Outstanding of the Day. During the competition, 4-H members answer questions posed by judges who are experts in the area they are judging. He compared the judging to a job interview.
Reed said he enjoys 4-H and has “made tons of friends” through the organization the past three years.
He also participates in competitive shooting outside of the 4-H program.
Reed, the son of Ted and Michelle Reed, said he thinks his gun knowledge will come in handy in his career goal in law enforcement. No matter what the stage for competition, Reed said safety always comes first.
“Guns are dangerous, if you don’t use them correctly,” he said. “I love to work with kids on safety. If kids come upon a gun, they then know what to do.”
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