CNN profiles child shooting prodigy

It’s not very often one reads positive stories of children and firearms in the mainstream media, but last week CNN posted a fascinating article about competitive shooter Shyanne Roberts.

At 10 years old, Roberts is a standout, not just because she a kid, but because she can shoot better than competitors even twice her age. As CNN noted, last year she took second place in the Women’s Division of the New Jersey Ruger Rimfire Challenge.

Now Roberts is preparing for the Brownell’s Lady 3-Gun Pro-Am Challenge in Covington, Georgia, which takes place on Oct. 31. She’ll go toe-to-toe with 200 women shooters from across the country. Winner takes home $5,000, plus other prizes.

The Franklinville, New Jersey, native is excited not only about this upcoming opportunity to showcase her skills, but about the larger narrative her engagement in the shooting world creates.

“I want to be an inspiration to other kids and be a leader,” said the youngster. “Kids and guns don’t always mean bad things happen.”

With the full backing and support of her father Dan Roberts, a certified firearms instructor who also acts as the girl’s coach and trainer, the future looks bright.

“I want her to have as much success as she possibly can,” he told CNN. “If all that ever comes out of this is that she gets a scholarship to a college with a rifle team,” — currently 31 colleges sponsor NCAA rifle teams — “and if as a father I have the peace of mind that she can defend herself, I’m thrilled with just that,” adding that “the rest is just extra.”

Yet, Shyanne has a more lofty, albeit attainable goal. “I want to win the national title,” she told CNN. With her pedigree, work ethic (she currently practices 15 hours a week), and determination, one would be wise not to bet against her.