NRA America’s Rifle Challenge

The National Rifle Association is the nation’s leader in defense of every American’s Second Amendment rights. As the advocate for the right to keep and bear arms, we recognize that the AR-15, owned by tens of millions of responsible American citizens, is truly America’s Rifle. Commonly owned and used for self-defense, recreation, hunting, competition, and all forms of sport shooting, the proper use of America’s Rifle by responsible firearms owners is vital for the protection of our homes, our nation, and our way of life.

The NRA recognizes our duty to support our members, to protect America’s Rifle, to train responsible gun owners, and to provide competitive shooting events. Therefore, NRA is going back to its roots and is launching a new and vital competition and training program, America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC). Beginning on August 4, 2025, this nationwide competitive shooting and training program will open for your participation. ARC is designed to help the everyday responsible AR owner use and excel with their AR through competition and training. As part of the ARC program, we’ll provide modernized, specific AR training and competitions at clubs around the nation for beginners and for AR owners seeking to gain a higher level of skill. Additionally, the ARC Program supports the use of rimfire ARs and pistol caliber carbine (PCC) ARs. ARC also supports suppressors for training and competition.

Download the Provisional Rulebook

ARC Training

Modernized ARC training courses will be offered at ranges and clubs across the nation. Like ARC Level 1 and Level 2 competitions, there are two levels of ARC training courses -- ARC Level 1 Training and ARC Level 2 Training. Both courses are specifically designed to help responsible AR owners learn how to safely and better operate their AR through training and in either ARC Level 1 or Level 2 competitions.

ARC Level 1 Training for beginners and responsible AR owners who may have some shooting skills but want to learn about how to safely operate, fire, and maintain their AR and/or compete in ARC Level 1 competitions. We’ll help you learn and understand NRA safety and marksmanship principles. We’ll also help you understand the specifics of the modern AR, how to zero it, and set up your sling. You’ll conduct live-fire drills that prepare you for recreational AR use, defensive AR use and ARC Level 1 Competition.

ARC Level 2 Training for responsible AR owners who are familiar with firearms and their AR, but want to learn skills with intermediate AR techniques such as shooting and moving, utilizing barricades, mastering precision, longer range, better understanding of optics, reloading, and sling use, or ARC Level 2 competitions. We’ll focus on intermediate skills and share useful techniques from tactical and competition shooters, so you can become better with your AR in recreational, defensive and competition environments.

What’s Next?

• Talk with your local club or range about hosting ARC Competitions and/or ARC Training Courses.
• Download the ARC Program Rulebook.

This program was designed to be modular. All ranges are unique and have different capabilities. There are reduced courses designed for ranges limited to 25 yards, and there are specialty events for ranges or organizations limited to rimfire ammunition or pistol caliber carbines.

Want To Know More

For more information about the NRA America's Rifle Challenge, email [email protected].