YOUNG GUNS, SAFE SHOOTERS; RARE TEEN-AGE TRAP TEAM EMPHASIZES SAFETY, FRATERNITY, FUN.

Byline: Brett Pauly

In today's political environment, in which kids and guns often are thought to be a poor combination, some might not only be surprised but startled - even outraged - to discover that one of the state's few private trap-shooting teams comprised entirely of teen-agers competes in the Santa Clarita Valley.

But not so fast.

``There is a place for such a team, and the reason is that it takes the illicit fascination out of gun use,'' said Sylmar computer technician Wayne Johnson, father of two members of the Rock Chuckers - the North Hollywood Sportsman's Club Youth Shooting Team.

Not only that, participants say, such a rare opportunity promotes gun safety, independence, self-esteem, camaraderie and pride in competition.

``I believe the boys should be trained in how to use a weapon, how to be responsible and how to be good members of the community, and this clubinstills those qualities,'' said Johnson.

The Scout Master became familiar with the program when his Boy Scouts troop trained for its shotgun or rifle merit badges with the help of North Hollywood Sportsman's Club instructors at their San Francisquito Canyon shooting range. ``Kids are going to have fun shooting; the fun was a given. The emphasis is on safety and responsibility.''

Refreshing attributes, to be certain, in an age when qualified supervision in such matters isn'ta given.

Listen to the dozen competitors themselves and you'll quickly find just how serious they are about dissolving any stereotypes and extinguishing any misconceptions - all the while having a swell time doing something they love.

``Guns and kids don't always mix, but people come out here and watch us and see what we're doing, we're safe,'' said Nick Sawhill, 18, of Granada Hills. ``All people have to do is come out and watch us one time and they can see how it is. They are going to see kids shooting, being safe.''

And with a single visit during a practice staged each last Saturday of the month or during quarterly competitions, one can see that they are proving that kids can have a very real, grounded respect for weapons - shotguns broken, muzzles down, ear and eye protection worn religiously. If anything, impressionable youths can be as safe - or safer - than adults because they are less apt to harbor a know-it-all attitude.

It helps to be learning from experts dedicated to preserving a sport - which is contested at the Olympics in its highest form - that has not enjoyed the healthiest returns in recent years.

``Everyone here is super supportive,'' said Johnson's 17-year-old son, Tyler, who is joined on the Rock Chuckers by his brother Marcus, 16. ``Even people I don't know. They'll say, `You're dropping your gun. You're not following through.' I've learned that when you've shot, you should keep moving your gun where the target should be; the (shot) pattern continues to travel, so follow the bird down the barrel.''

Adult club members anticipate their patience will pay off; it's an act of self-preservation, one that's needed if the shooting sports are to survive, they claim.

``The youths are the next step to tomorrow; they are our tomorrow,'' said Bradley Cornell of Shadow Hills. She keeps track of the youth team's scores and organizes the squads - putting together two groups of five for that 10 shooters who are required to form a competitive team.

And while most Rock Chuckers are children of members, the North Hollywood Sportsman's Clubextends an invitation to anyone 18 and younger to consider participating. ``The more the merrier,'' Cornell explained.

With a healthy coffer built up over its 60-year existence and a grant from the sponsoring National Rifle Association, the club is committed to expanding its youth trap-shooting team. ``We have the funds to do it; now we need the kids,'' said club board member and youth coordinator Joe Kubasak of Granada Hills.

``We started the team last year,'' he explained, ``because at all the different round-robin events (intraclub shooting contests), no one was promoting youth shooting.

``We just took it upon ourselves; we thought it was necessary to get youths shooting because of all the bad press that guns get. And we all know we gotta pass this sport down to somebody. It's just senseless not to get them involved. So we made a conscience effort - the board got together and we all voted to pay for it.''

Recruiting within the Boy Scouts paid off, with Marcus and Tyler Johnson joining the squad. Others who show interest and promise can receive one year's honorary membership into the club, a requirement of youth-team members; shooters must pay a $100 club initiation and $50 for annual dues thereafter. Until a gun can be afforded and purchased, one is provided. Ammo and use of the range are included.

``We just want to make it affordable, No. 1, and fun,'' Kubasak said. ``We just want them to participate, And so far, we are very successful, I'd like to say.''

Success also has been measured in the improvement of shooting scores over the course of five trap tournaments since the squad's inception. The team's collective tallies have jumped by as much as 16 percent, and one individual's score has more than doubled, marking an improvement of nearly 150 percent.

``These boys have amazed me,'' Cornell said. ``The first time they came out here, they were shooting six and 10 (out of 50 clay pigeons). Now one (shooter) topped out at 46 in competition.''

Tournament action takes place against themselves, since they haven't found another youth squad to square off against.

While there are some high school trap teams around California, as few as two other private youth trap teams exist in the southern half of the state, according to Thomas Audetat, the National Rifle Association field rep for Southern California.

One is found within the Apple Valley Gun Club.

``One of the things that is good for the kids is it's an individual sport; they compete with themselves to improve their scores at all times,'' said the club's junior chairman, Sue Kirst of Apple Valley. ``It teaches them a lot of concentration. They become focused. It gives them confidence.''

Which also translates to such life issues as education, she said. ``In schoolwork, you are also competing yourself; you want to do better than you did before.''

For more information on the North Hollywood Sportsman's Club Youth Shooting Team, and when and where to see it perform on the range, call [phone] or [phone].

HOT SHOTS

Examples of how members of the North Hollywood Sportsman's Club Youth Shooting Team have improved their trap scoresover the course of five trap tournaments since the squad's inception. Scores are based on 50 possible clay pigeons; team scores are combined totals of 10 shooters. (DNC is ``did not compete.'')

Shooter Sept. 1998 Dec. 1998 March 1999 June 1999 Sept. 1999

Andrew Brinkman39 31 41 46 DNC

Tyler Johnson20 30 26 36 35

Gary Hughes 29 35 30 31 38

Derek Densensi 17 35 37 34 42

Team 312 315 333 363 345

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

PHOTO (color) The North Hollywood Sportsman's Club Youth Shooting Team practices monthly at the club's San Francisquito Canyon shooting range and competes quarterly.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

BOX: Hot Shots (see text)