Nineteen-year-old U.S. Olympian Virginia Thrasher won the first gold medal awarded at this year’s Olympic games in Rio, Brazil. She won her gold in the 10-meter air rifle shooting competition — and set a new Olympic record while she was at it. Thrasher, who was not expected to contend for a medal at this year’s Olympics, stunned the field by beating out the heavily favored and previous gold medal winning Chinese contender.

Thrasher who had been previously training to become a figure skater, got hooked on shooting five years ago after going on a hunting trip where she killed her first deer in one shot. From then on she decided to switch her focus and has been hitting the mark ever since.

Predictably, when anti-gun activists heard the news, they were apoplectic and cynical. Piers Morgan was typically off target, tweeting, “LEAST SURPRISING BREAKING NEWS EVER: America’s 1st Olympic Gold Medal is for Shooting.” The Brit just can’t seem to keep his odious and ridiculous opinions to himself. USA Shooting’s response, “Thanks for trolling. Realize it was a pellet gun, she defeated heavily favored Chinese, & 6 proud @GBShooting reps are in Rio2.” Well, we in our humble shop offer our heart-felt congratulations to Virginia Thrasher on her gold medal performance. We didn’t become the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave because our forefathers didn’t know how to use rifles. Go USA!

Publisher’s Note: Keep an eye out for another Olympic shooter, Marine 2nd LT David Higgins, one of two ‘16 Air Force Academy cadets who cross commissioned to the USMC (the other being Mark Alexander’s son). Oooohrah Higgins!