National Range Day is a day created to recognize and celebrate the 2.3M licensed gun owners who responsibly, legally, and safely own and use firearms in Canada. The first Saturday in June, annually, will be National Range Day going forward. In 2025 it will fall on Saturday, June 7.

These days there’s a “national day” to recognize everything from serious societal issues like reconciliation to the fun and frivolous like “National Poutine Day”. Why not an annual day, from coast to coast, where gun owners and their clubs, associations and community can come together under a united banner and celebrate the unique, inclusive, safety-conscious lifestyle of legal firearms ownership. A 2019 study stated that 22% of Canadian homes have at least one gun inside. Firearms ownership predates Confederation and Canada has a rich, robust history when it comes to positive gun culture.

It’s worth celebrating.

And so here we are, with this big idea; a unified day to show the rest of Canada who we really are. The vision can mean different things to different people. Clubs and ranges across the country can host “open houses” or similar events and invite their greater communities. National firearms advocacy organizations can come together and encourage and support their members and associates in hosting celebrations. Individuals or folks in remote areas can commit to bringing 1, 2, 3 or more new people out for a day of shooting.

The idea here is to simply broaden the number of citizens exposed to the positive side of legal gun ownership, with the hope that minds can be opened, friendships and conversations can be started and public opinion can be swayed.

It is possible, but it’s going to take an “all hands on deck”, every level of our community, united approach.