Aiming for a cure

A Martinez gun enthusiast is aiming to use his passion to help shoot down cancer.

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Zoble Morris, an instructor for the National Rifle Association, is putting on the second annual Shoot Down Cancer event to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Anyone who raises at least $50 to donate to the Cancer Society can come to Shooters, an Augusta indoor firing range, on April 28 or May 7 for a free day of shooting.

Morris said the event raised more than $6,000 in 2008 and he'd like to raise at least $12,000 this year.

"It is double what I did last year," he said.

Morris lost his grandmother to brain cancer when he was a baby and his sister to lung cancer in May 2007. His sister's death spurred him to action.

"I don't know of a much better (cause) than cancer," Morris said. "Cancer is such an awful, debilitating, ugly disease. ... That's why I am working to get money for research."

Morris is asking those interested to set a fundraising goal of at least $100.

"Ask friends to do the same thing," he said. "Hopefully, those friends will get some friends who will also do the same thing."

The indoor shooting range, at 1025 Patriots Way in Augusta, will provide shooting lanes, targets, ear and eye protection, and gun safety instruction to anyone interested in shooting who raises at least $50.

Participants can bring their own handguns, rifles and ammunition, with some restrictions. Otherwise, weapons will be available for rent and ammunition for sale.

"Those people who go out and get pledges and donations are not required to shoot," said Morris, who has been participating in handgun shooting competitions for 23 years. "If they have something against guns and shooting, I'll give them gun safety instruction. Everybody needs to know gun safety."

Morris said he'd like to see youth, civic and women's groups, and businesses, take on the fundraiser as a project.

"So many women are afraid of guns and shooting," Morris said.

All shooters younger than 21 will be supervised, Morris said, and he will be on site to offer shooting tips and instruction.

"Anyone who shoots, we're going to do it safely," Morris said.

The event will be held during Shooters' business hours, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., April 28 and May 7. Anyone interested should contact Morris for a pledge form and information at (706) 860-1971 or (706) 496-4553.

Anyone who raises the $50 minimum must contact Morris at least one day before the shooting event to participate, he said.