Benefits of airgunning highlighted by late rock icon

Ozzy takes aim

The late Ozzy Osbourne’s passion for airgun target shooting was showcased in two high-profile documentaries in October, offering a rare glimpse into both the personal side of the rock legend and the therapeutic benefits of the sport.

In Ozzy: No Escape From Now on Paramount+ and the BBC’s Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, the Black Sabbath frontman, who passed away in July aged 76, was shown engaging in airgun target shooting, a long-standing hobby that provided him relaxation, focus and a sense of calm during his later years.

The documentaries capture Ozzy using a customised FX Crown MKII provided from Utah Airguns to shoot targets he made himself.

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A meditative hobby

Family members, including Ozzy’s son Jack, spoke about the positive impact of airgun shooting:

“When [Ozzy] sits and he’s shooting guns, I think it’s a meditation for him: he slows himself down, he controls his breathing. It’s very grounding.”

Target practice offered Ozzy a valuable pastime during his later years, when daily life was increasingly dependent on others due to his struggles with Parkinson’s disease and a spinal injury. His engagement with airgun shooting demonstrates how precision sports can provide both mental and physical benefits.

More avid fans of Ozzy’s might already have been aware of his pastime thanks to an episode of In Depth with Graham Bensinger, filmed in September 2021, in which Ozzy offered Graham a lesson in air rifle target practice from his backyard.

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Legacy

Airing in early October, these two new documentaries not only commemorated Ozzy’s life but also introduced airgun target shooting to a broader audience. His participation underscores that the sport is accessible, rewarding, and beneficial for mental focus and relaxation, showing that even global icons can find therapy and enjoyment in precision shooting.

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