Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Northern Virginia Friends of NRA Dinner
Northern Virginia Friends of NRA Committee Chairman Michael Sacks took a few minutes to answer some questions on what it means to chair a Friends of NRA dinner.
“It’s definitely living up to my expectations,” he said. “It’s a learning experience.” Sacks first became involved in the Friends event when he responded to an e-mail from his state’s field representative asking for volunteers.
Finding dedicated volunteers is the biggest hurdle his committee is facing, Sacks said. “It’s a challenge to try to recruit people to join the committee, to get people involved.”
Sacks has found his work with the committee very rewarding. “We’re able to give back to the NRA for all the support they’ve given us in defending our Second Amendment rights,” Sacks said. He emphasizes that the purpose of the banquet is fundraising for programs, and that the banquets are not political. “The fundraising helps us to promote firearms safety, and to educate children, specifically through the grant program.”
Sacks expects this year’s Northern Virginia Friends of NRA Dinner will raise around $20,000 with something like 250 attendees.
“The benefit is actually kind of selfish. I’m proud to be able to do this. It truly makes me feel good to be able to help.”
If you’re in the northern Virginia area and would like to attend the banquet, tickets can be purchased at the door. The event is this Friday, Oct. 3 at the Waterford in Fairfax, Virginia (next to Fair Oaks Mall). E-mail michael@alecian.com with questions.
To get involved in your community's next Friends banquet, use this map to find local events and your NRA Field Representative.
“It’s definitely living up to my expectations,” he said. “It’s a learning experience.” Sacks first became involved in the Friends event when he responded to an e-mail from his state’s field representative asking for volunteers.
Finding dedicated volunteers is the biggest hurdle his committee is facing, Sacks said. “It’s a challenge to try to recruit people to join the committee, to get people involved.”
Sacks has found his work with the committee very rewarding. “We’re able to give back to the NRA for all the support they’ve given us in defending our Second Amendment rights,” Sacks said. He emphasizes that the purpose of the banquet is fundraising for programs, and that the banquets are not political. “The fundraising helps us to promote firearms safety, and to educate children, specifically through the grant program.”
Sacks expects this year’s Northern Virginia Friends of NRA Dinner will raise around $20,000 with something like 250 attendees.
“The benefit is actually kind of selfish. I’m proud to be able to do this. It truly makes me feel good to be able to help.”
If you’re in the northern Virginia area and would like to attend the banquet, tickets can be purchased at the door. The event is this Friday, Oct. 3 at the Waterford in Fairfax, Virginia (next to Fair Oaks Mall). E-mail michael@alecian.com with questions.
To get involved in your community's next Friends banquet, use this map to find local events and your NRA Field Representative.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Board of Director profile #4: Allen
Board member Bill Allen started his law enforcement career in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in 1975. “I worked in several different division, working on the SWAT team for ten years and then the training division and then I went back to patrol as a field commander,” he says. “From there I took over the firearms training unit.”Allen was then promoted to Commander of the County’s patrol division. “I was also in the detective division for a few years, before I moved again and was Commander of the Special Operations division, which included narcotics, bomb team, gang unit, home defense and security.”During his time in Special Operations Allen estimates he and his crew documented around 8,000 gang members in the greater Memphis area. “That’s just the ones we documented,” he says, “not including any who hadn’t been arrested.”
Allen is currently with the Shelby County’s uniformed patrol operations.
Throughout the years, promotions, and division transfers, Allen has made a point to shoot the National Police Shooting Championship.
Allen has been to NPSC since 1983 except for 1993 when he was at an FBI National Academy.
“I did really well shooting during recruitment and some of the guys on the pistol team got me involved.”
When asked if Allen has any particular NPSC he considers particularly important or successful, he says he doesn’t keep track of his scores. “They told me one time, ‘don’t ever fix on one score, because you should always strive to do better,’” he says, “so I don’t really remember.”
Allen has been an NRA member “since forever ago,” he says. “They asked me to be on the Law Enforcement committee. I never really thought about being on the Board of Directors before, and I never truly knew the depth of the NRA.”
“One of the biggest things I noticed (during Law Enforcement committee meetings) was how professional everyone was.”
After serving on the LE committee for four years, Allen considered running for the Board of Directors. “Several other competitive shooters talked to me about it,” he says. And he was successful during his first bid, although he says he feels overwhelmed with the starpower around him.
“Here I am in the Board of Directors’ room, sitting in there with Senators and Congressmen and war heroes,” he says, “and I’m a Deputy Sherriff from Memphis, Tennessee.”
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Board of Director profile #3: Gaines
NRA Board member Tom Gaines doesn't remember too much about his first National Police Shooting Championships in 1964. But he says he did okay.
"I had been a bullseye shooter, doing very well in bullseye, and the transition to PPC was not all that difficult," he says. At that point Gaines was a law enforcement official within the U.S. Border Patrol, which had just gotten involved in PPC in the early 60s.
Over the years, Gaines and other Border Patrol veterans have watched their teams improve and dominate the playing field in several areas of police pistol combat. In addition to that transition, Gaines has a few interesting stories about the technology he used in the 1960s as a recent graduate of the Border Patrol Academy--including a 12-pound radio.
His career is one of many promotions, but it is centered on the west coast, where he still resides.
"I went through the Academy in El Paso, Texas, in 1960 and then was assigned to central California, 120 miles east of San Diego. I was there for 10 years and transferred over to the check point for six or seven years," he says. "I started getting promoted and went down to Chula Vista, right on the U.S.-Mexico border, just south of San Diego."
Gaines was then appointed Assistant Chief of the Border Patrol Academy. He returned to Chula Vista as an Assistant Chief and served in that capacity until 1985. Gaines then became Assistant Director of Criminal Investigations in Central California. He served a year as the Deputy Director for all immigration activities in the Los Angelos district. "I retired in 1990 as the Assistant Director for Anti-Smuggling in the Los Angelos district."
But what about the beginning of Gaines' career? How did he become interested in serving in the Border Patrol?
It was something he had always wanted to do, he says. "I had taken the Border Patrol exam in 1958 and passed the exam but with a low score. They weren't hiring many people," he explains. "And then Castro had the revolution in Cuba, and that's what really was the impetus for hiring a lot of people because we opened up sectors and assigned persennel down in Florida."
"I finally got hired in 1960, and the rest is history."
Gaines' Border Patrol career spanned almost three decades. He has a unique analysis about the relationship Border Patrol agents have with the agency: "It's worse than a marriage. There is absolutely no divorce. Once you're in the Border Patrol you're there forever and ever and ever. It's a brother and sisterhood that evolves from the camaraderie you have," he says. Gaines also notes he is part of the Border Patrol's "very active retired association."
Does the current Border Patrol pistol team consider him a mentor? "I don't think they listen to me," he says with a laugh.
"I was on the Law Enforcement committe of the NRA in the mid 80s," he says. "When I retired I was asked if I would run for the board, and I was elected my first time out. I came on the Board in 2000."
Gaines serves as the Chair of the Law Enforcement Committee; as Vice Chair of the Silhouette Committee; on the Education and Training Committee; the Jeanne Bray Scholarship Committee; and the Committee on Committees.
As a member of all these committees, Gaines' priority is keeping NRA members at the forefront of the leadership's mind. "If you look at the very top of our organization chart, at the very top is the membership."
"The members are at the top of the heap. Those are the people we're here to serve — their interests, their objectives."
Gaines wouldn't mention his NPSC history until prompted. "I had a few very successful years," he says. He is actually a two-time police pistol champion, 1969 and 1970.
"In the broader spectrum of the law enforcement community, it really is a pretty tight-knit group, because we're all out there trying to serve and protect," he says. "It's what we do. It's the oath we take."
Board member profile #2: Pawol
For Pennsylvania-based attorney Tim Pawol, the third time was the charm in getting nominated and elected to the NRA's Board of Directors. Now in his fourth year of service, Pawol serves on the following four committees: Finance; Protest; Pistol; and Action Pistol.
Serving as a knowledgable member of the Protest committe during the 46th National Police Shooting Championships, Pawol took the time to answer some questions. (He has shot NPSC as a non-competitor, by the way, as only law enforcement officials are able to compete.)
Pawol has seen a lot of challenges in his time as a volunteer at both NPSC and Camp Perry and he reports that this year's NPSC is average in the level of challenges submitted.
"When you have this many people—and this is important—there are prizes. They're here to compete. They want to know they're competing on level ground," he says. "And that's really what our job is, to make sure everyone's playing by the rules and that they are all competing on a level playing field."
"Yes, we do get challenges," he continues. "But when it's all said and done, and agree or disagree (with the competitor's challenge) everyone shakes hand and gets back to competing."
Resolving conflict is part of what Pawol does by trade. He does some pro bono work for individuals with disabilities and is involved with civil rights litigation. Thankfully, he says, he sees his daytime work as compatible with his service on the NRA's Board of Directors.
"A lot of people don't see people who work in Human Services as aligned with the NRA," he says. "The company I work for has the idea that if we're for the idea of the individuals we work with having their civil rights, you'd better protect all civil rights. So that's a good thing."
Pawol says his fascination with firearms began young—under the diligent supervision of his parents. "Starting out, I received my mother's shotgun when I was in third grade. I wasn't allowed to shoot it without my parents being present, but that was my gun," he says. "From there, I was in Boy Scouts and did that kind of shooting and a lot of hunting with my family growing up. My father was an NRA life member and I wanted to be an NRA life member as part of our family tradition."
Pawol was asked to attend Camp Perry one year "when they came up short on personnel. They knew I could at least talk from the tower without stumbling too much," he says humbly. Pawol's 14 consecutive years at Perry's pistol phase have allowed him to perfect his "tower talk," among other things.
So how exactly did Pawol come to run for the NRA's Board? "Through Perry, I met the referee who was John Sigler. He and I were talking because we're both attorneys and have similar interests and he suggested that I consider running for the Board of Directors."
"The first time I ran I was not nominated and then I was nominated and came in 26th. Then I ran again and came in 26th and I felt like the woman on the soap operas who never gets the Emmy, I think. Then I actually got elected and was on the Board."
Pawol sees his fellow Board members as confidants, firearms experts, public servants, colleagues—and friends. "We have a lot of fun. They can take a joke. If they couldn't take a joke I'd probably be pounded into the ground by now," he says. "There is a commonality of interest. I mean, a wide variance of background from all over the United States but we do have this commonality."
Pawol doesn't hesitate when asked what exactly serving on the NRA's Board means to him. "The biggest responsibility that we all have—and we all have our own individual interests, whether it's gun collecting, competitive shooting, or any of our over 100 programs—the major thing has to be protecting the 2nd Amendment," he says. "That's really a horrible thing to have to say."
"It's not that we are attacking or that we are aggressive; it's that we are under attack. A lot of our resources have to go to that. It's not something we would choose, and it's not something we want."
"It's what we have to do."
Serving as a knowledgable member of the Protest committe during the 46th National Police Shooting Championships, Pawol took the time to answer some questions. (He has shot NPSC as a non-competitor, by the way, as only law enforcement officials are able to compete.)
Pawol has seen a lot of challenges in his time as a volunteer at both NPSC and Camp Perry and he reports that this year's NPSC is average in the level of challenges submitted.
"When you have this many people—and this is important—there are prizes. They're here to compete. They want to know they're competing on level ground," he says. "And that's really what our job is, to make sure everyone's playing by the rules and that they are all competing on a level playing field."
"Yes, we do get challenges," he continues. "But when it's all said and done, and agree or disagree (with the competitor's challenge) everyone shakes hand and gets back to competing."
Resolving conflict is part of what Pawol does by trade. He does some pro bono work for individuals with disabilities and is involved with civil rights litigation. Thankfully, he says, he sees his daytime work as compatible with his service on the NRA's Board of Directors.
"A lot of people don't see people who work in Human Services as aligned with the NRA," he says. "The company I work for has the idea that if we're for the idea of the individuals we work with having their civil rights, you'd better protect all civil rights. So that's a good thing."
Pawol says his fascination with firearms began young—under the diligent supervision of his parents. "Starting out, I received my mother's shotgun when I was in third grade. I wasn't allowed to shoot it without my parents being present, but that was my gun," he says. "From there, I was in Boy Scouts and did that kind of shooting and a lot of hunting with my family growing up. My father was an NRA life member and I wanted to be an NRA life member as part of our family tradition."
Pawol was asked to attend Camp Perry one year "when they came up short on personnel. They knew I could at least talk from the tower without stumbling too much," he says humbly. Pawol's 14 consecutive years at Perry's pistol phase have allowed him to perfect his "tower talk," among other things.
So how exactly did Pawol come to run for the NRA's Board? "Through Perry, I met the referee who was John Sigler. He and I were talking because we're both attorneys and have similar interests and he suggested that I consider running for the Board of Directors."
"The first time I ran I was not nominated and then I was nominated and came in 26th. Then I ran again and came in 26th and I felt like the woman on the soap operas who never gets the Emmy, I think. Then I actually got elected and was on the Board."
Pawol sees his fellow Board members as confidants, firearms experts, public servants, colleagues—and friends. "We have a lot of fun. They can take a joke. If they couldn't take a joke I'd probably be pounded into the ground by now," he says. "There is a commonality of interest. I mean, a wide variance of background from all over the United States but we do have this commonality."
Pawol doesn't hesitate when asked what exactly serving on the NRA's Board means to him. "The biggest responsibility that we all have—and we all have our own individual interests, whether it's gun collecting, competitive shooting, or any of our over 100 programs—the major thing has to be protecting the 2nd Amendment," he says. "That's really a horrible thing to have to say."
"It's not that we are attacking or that we are aggressive; it's that we are under attack. A lot of our resources have to go to that. It's not something we would choose, and it's not something we want."
"It's what we have to do."
Friday, September 26, 2008
NPSC in the news
The Shooting Wire ran the press release announcing the winner of the 46th National Championship.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Board member profile #1: Van Horn
Board member Dwight Van Horn brings a wide array of experience to the Board of Directors’ table. The Idaho native has won the two-man team championship twice — “with a different gun and a different partner each time,” he emphasizes. Not that anyone doubts his expertise in law enforcement competitive shooting. “I think this is my 29th NPSC. My first one as a shooter was in 1977,” he says.
But even experienced shooters like Van Horn admit the battle can be an uphill one. “It was a scary experience. Coming here with the best shooters in the world, at that time in Jackson, Mississippi, there were 7 or 8 hundred competitors,” he says. “We used to get something there, we used to have a name for it — the Jackson Jitters.”
“I shot the Nationals for 21 years. My last time was 1997, and in 1998 I became a referee. In 1998 we were back in Jackson and I had the Jackson Jitters again, only as a referee.”
Now in his third year of Chief Referee, Van Horn takes his duties very seriously. The jitters one has a referee, by the way, are very different from the jitters one experiences as a competitor.
“As a referee, you’re here, and all these guys out here are friends. Now you’re watching their positions to make sure they’re within the rules,” he says with a smile. “You work hard to make sure they got the proper shot value and by the same token you don’t want to give them something that they’re not entitled to.”
Van Horn has been Chief Referee for as long as the Championships have been in Albuquerque.
The way Van Horn sees it, his appointment as Chief Referee was a natural progression: Competitor, Champion, Referee, Chief Referee. “I told John Sigler that if he had no one in mind for his replacement, I’d be interested in the job,” Van Horn says. "In 2005 Sigler decided with his duties as 1st Vice President his schedule was getting to the point where he was going to step down, and he recommended that I take his place.”
Van Horn has a distinct turning point in his law enforcement career where he decided it would be a good idea to look to the arena of competitive shooting. In 1973 his career with the Trenton, New Jersey, Police Department began. Three short years later, Van Horned was “involved in a shooting,” as he puts it.
“All though it came out in my favor I realized how lacking I was in my skills,” he explains. “After being involved in a shooting situation I became very aware.” Van Horn then quotes something we’ve all heard before — “Competition is a natural extension of training.” In his experience, he says, his decision to become a competitive shooter may have very well saved his life.
In 1979 Van Horn moved to California to work for small Police Department in Hermosa Beach. He attended the Los Angeles Sheriffs’ Academy and took college courses. In fact, some of his college courses were one of his motivators for the coastal relocation. “A lot of the things that were going on that I was learning in the classroom were coming from the west coast,” he says.
Van Horn serves on nine committees.
Farewell to NPSC 2008
I'm going through some pictures, and just had to post this one, of one of the referees. He goes by Swampy, and he was very encouraging all week — even if he did complain about the number of blog entries per day!
To me, this photo is a fitting end to the 46th National Police Shooting Championships. We really couldn't have done it without all the wonderful volunteers, competitors, vendors, and sponsors.
Please don't go away! Friday/Saturday will feature profiles of Board members Allen, Gaines, Pawol, and Van Horn. They each have some pretty neat memories of their NPSC careers.
Thanks for reading!
Packing up camp
If any of you loyal readers ever wondered where exactly NRAblog.com was coming from (hopefully, you've caught on by now that we're at the National Police Shooting Championships in Albuquerque), see the above photo.
I am literally in a corner of the Awards Office. It looks like I'm going to have to pack up my things and dig my way out from under boxes of awards!
Team Match ceremony pictures
The team award ceremony went smoothly. LEAD Director Glen Hoyer announced the awards and NRA First Vice President Ron Schmeits handed the awards to the winning competitiors.
Schmeits welcomed everyone to New Mexico, his home state, and thanked them for their participation in the NPSC team match. He encouraged everyone to vote in November and invited competitive sh0oters to return to NPSC 2009.
Range is cold
Chief Referee Van Horn has dismissed the firefighters who must be here when competition is live.
"Live fire has concluded," he said.
And just like that, the action of the National Police Shooting Championships came to an end.
Check back in a few for team ceremony photos!
Team Championship award ceremony
The talk around here is everything will be wrapped up and finalized by 2:30. The award ceremony will be held right next to the NRA Store in Building A.
The real Bill Allen
To make up for my earlier mislabeling of NRA board member Bill Allen, I have an actual, verified photo of him with his four-man team, above. Allen is third from left. Read a brief profile of Allen here.His team, the Shelby County Sheriff Department's pistol team, reports they came in third in the Stock Auto match this morning.
Preliminary Team Results
MATCH NUMBER 30
NRA NATIONAL POLICE 4-OFFICER TEAM REVOLVER
1st Place 4R012 2371 155x BORDER PATROL BLUE
AGENT ROBERT M. VADASZ 1046 596 42x
LTC JOHN C. POOLE1016 593 43x
SUPV KEVIN S. WORRELL1034 593 35x
AGENT GINA L. HERNANDEZ1255 589 35x
2nd Place
SGT LOUIS H. SALSEDA1388 593 35x
OFC ROBERT BARNES1389 592 37x
DET DON C. TSUNAWAKI1386 589 32x
OFC RICHARD S. BENNETT1385 587 33x
3rd Place
2358 143xBORDER PATROL GOLD
AGENT BRETT M. SULLIVAN1117 592 34x
SUPV ART A. VELEZ1027 590 39x
SUPV JEFF G. MORRISON1026 588 39x
AGENT STEVEN D. VINES1055 588 31x
MATCH NUMBER 31
NRA NATIONAL POLICE 2-OFFICER TEAM REVOLVER
1st Place 2R014 NRA Awards1186 75xUS BORDER PATROL
AGENT ENOCH J. SMITH1028 595 41x
AGENT BENJAMIN F. MORROW1081 591 34x
2nd Place
71x MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL
CPL DAN J. RAWLINSON1252 593 35x
LTC PAT CRONIN1195 590 36x
3rd Place
2R007 1183 68xHANFORD PATROL
CPT STEVEN L. VOIGT1316 593 38x
CURTIS BEARCHUM1153 590 30x
MATCH NUMBER 36
Stock Semi-Auto 4-Officer (Match #36)
1st Place
1918 165xBORDER PATROL BLUE
AGENT ROBERT M. VADASZ1046 480 45x
SUPV KEVIN S. WORRELL1034 480 44x
AGENT ENOCH J. SMITH1028 480 39x
LTC JOHN C. POOLE1016 478 37x
2nd Place
1911 139xLAPD BLUE
DET JOHN H. PRIDE1110 479 37x
OFC ESTEVAN ESTRADA1357 478 38x
SGT ROBERT L. SNEDDEN1358 477 32x
DET STEFANIE DIAZ1307 477 32x
3rd Place
1907 123xBORDER PATROL - GOLD
SUPV ART A. VELEZ1027 479 31x
AGENT BRETT M. SULLIVAN1117 478 36x
AGENT BENJAMIN F. MORROW1081 477 28x
SUPV JEFF G. MORRISON1026 473 28x
MATCH NUMBER 37
Stock Semi-Auto 2-Officer (Match #37)
1st Place
958 76xMISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL
LTC PAT CRONIN1195 480 37x
CPL DAN J. RAWLINSON1252 478 39x
2nd Place
957 71xUS BORDER PATROL
AGENT GINA L. HERNANDEZ1255 480 36x
AGENT DANNY J. CONWAY1093 477 35x
3rd Place
2S029 953 67xCBP GOLD
CHARLES R. ROGERS1260 478 35x
DOUGLAS J. GOFF1239 475 32x
NRA NATIONAL POLICE 4-OFFICER TEAM REVOLVER
1st Place 4R012 2371 155x BORDER PATROL BLUE
AGENT ROBERT M. VADASZ 1046 596 42x
LTC JOHN C. POOLE1016 593 43x
SUPV KEVIN S. WORRELL1034 593 35x
AGENT GINA L. HERNANDEZ1255 589 35x
2nd Place
SGT LOUIS H. SALSEDA1388 593 35x
OFC ROBERT BARNES1389 592 37x
DET DON C. TSUNAWAKI1386 589 32x
OFC RICHARD S. BENNETT1385 587 33x
3rd Place
2358 143xBORDER PATROL GOLD
AGENT BRETT M. SULLIVAN1117 592 34x
SUPV ART A. VELEZ1027 590 39x
SUPV JEFF G. MORRISON1026 588 39x
AGENT STEVEN D. VINES1055 588 31x
MATCH NUMBER 31
NRA NATIONAL POLICE 2-OFFICER TEAM REVOLVER
1st Place 2R014 NRA Awards1186 75xUS BORDER PATROL
AGENT ENOCH J. SMITH1028 595 41x
AGENT BENJAMIN F. MORROW1081 591 34x
2nd Place
71x MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL
CPL DAN J. RAWLINSON1252 593 35x
LTC PAT CRONIN1195 590 36x
3rd Place
2R007 1183 68xHANFORD PATROL
CPT STEVEN L. VOIGT1316 593 38x
CURTIS BEARCHUM1153 590 30x
MATCH NUMBER 36
Stock Semi-Auto 4-Officer (Match #36)
1st Place
1918 165xBORDER PATROL BLUE
AGENT ROBERT M. VADASZ1046 480 45x
SUPV KEVIN S. WORRELL1034 480 44x
AGENT ENOCH J. SMITH1028 480 39x
LTC JOHN C. POOLE1016 478 37x
2nd Place
1911 139xLAPD BLUE
DET JOHN H. PRIDE1110 479 37x
OFC ESTEVAN ESTRADA1357 478 38x
SGT ROBERT L. SNEDDEN1358 477 32x
DET STEFANIE DIAZ1307 477 32x
3rd Place
1907 123xBORDER PATROL - GOLD
SUPV ART A. VELEZ1027 479 31x
AGENT BRETT M. SULLIVAN1117 478 36x
AGENT BENJAMIN F. MORROW1081 477 28x
SUPV JEFF G. MORRISON1026 473 28x
MATCH NUMBER 37
Stock Semi-Auto 2-Officer (Match #37)
1st Place
958 76xMISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL
LTC PAT CRONIN1195 480 37x
CPL DAN J. RAWLINSON1252 478 39x
2nd Place
957 71xUS BORDER PATROL
AGENT GINA L. HERNANDEZ1255 480 36x
AGENT DANNY J. CONWAY1093 477 35x
3rd Place
2S029 953 67xCBP GOLD
CHARLES R. ROGERS1260 478 35x
DOUGLAS J. GOFF1239 475 32x
Call to Duty raffle
(Photo below: One of the U.S. Border Patrol's four-man teams, pictured on the range an hour ago.)
The drawing will be in 20 minutes right outside the NRA Store, which is holding Crazy Dave's End-of-Season Sale through this afternoon.
The drawing will be in 20 minutes right outside the NRA Store, which is holding Crazy Dave's End-of-Season Sale through this afternoon.
Hemphill returns
As I was walking down the line of competitors outside the Award Office, bribing them to check out NRAblog.com, I came across NPSC legend Philip Hemphill, pictured above during his NRAnews interview.
I asked him how it felt to be at NPSC for the first time in a decade as a non-competitor. "It feels strange," he said. "It's really hard because I always want to help people, but as a referee, you just can't. If I see someone with a bad stance, I want to go over and help them. It's hard to keep from giving advice."
This echoes the remarks NRA President John Sigler made last night when presenting Hemphill with the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. "He is always willing to help, particularly new shooters, even right before a competition when he knows he needs to be focusing on the game," Sigler said.
NRA Board of Director profiles
Word sure travels quickly around the National Police Shooting Championships! Since posting the exclusive NRAblog.com Sigler interview, I have been asked whether I will be posting the board member profiles I've been working on this week.
The short answer: YES! The board members who have taken the time to talk to me have been patient and clever. I can't decide which of them is the cleverest. So I'm not going to broach that topic — although a few moments ago, board member Gaines conceded that board member Van Horn is "smarter than me." Just for the record.
Tomorrow is my travel day back to northern Virginia, and I plan to post the board member profiles for your reading enjoyment. I'd hate for anyone to have NRAblog.com withdrawal. (Although the blog functions independent of competitions, as well. Bookmark NRAblog.com to learn about all 170+ General Operations programs!)
The short answer: YES! The board members who have taken the time to talk to me have been patient and clever. I can't decide which of them is the cleverest. So I'm not going to broach that topic — although a few moments ago, board member Gaines conceded that board member Van Horn is "smarter than me." Just for the record.
Tomorrow is my travel day back to northern Virginia, and I plan to post the board member profiles for your reading enjoyment. I'd hate for anyone to have NRAblog.com withdrawal. (Although the blog functions independent of competitions, as well. Bookmark NRAblog.com to learn about all 170+ General Operations programs!)
Team Championship
The two-man and four-man teams are on the line. As seen above, two of the four-man team's shooters are at the line with the other two coaching as spotters.
From the very end of the line, the range sure looks crowded. Two and four-man teams shoot at the same time "to save time," said referee Jesse Gibson. "What part of that do you possibly not understand?"
Additionally, if you are in the mood for a blonde joke or two, Gibson is your man. He waved his hand just beside his ear and asked me what the signal meant. Having no idea, and assuming it was some sort of referee signal, I was surprised when he said "it's a blonde, refueling."
I told him I'd be sure and pass it on to my boss, NRA Deputy Executive Director Andrea Cerwinske, pictured below with Gunny just before last night's Award Ceremony.
Team Championship underway
The next round of two- and four-man shooting takes place beginning at 10 a.m., Mountain time.
I'm headed to the range. See you there!
I'm headed to the range. See you there!
Thursday's schedule
Just a reminder, most of the two and four-man teams are on the range. Knowledgeable sources say the competition could extend until 2 p.m.
The award office is and stat office are open but most vendors are packed up.
The award office is and stat office are open but most vendors are packed up.
Award Ceremony
Pictured below (left to right): NRA 1st Vice President Ron Schmeits, NRA President John Sigler, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Vadasz, and NRA Executive Director Kayne Robinson.
U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Vadasz was a common figure at the front of the room at last night's NPSC Award Ceremony.
"Haven't I seen you before?" Kayne Robinson kept asking him.
Click below for slideshow of the awards:
U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Vadasz was a common figure at the front of the room at last night's NPSC Award Ceremony.
"Haven't I seen you before?" Kayne Robinson kept asking him.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
New Mexico State Police ritual
We thought it was blog-worthy to note the morning ritual of the New Mexico State Police shooters.
Each morning before the competition begins they gather to kneel and pray as a group.
Thanks to protest committeeman Ed Connor for pointing this out to us!
Wednesday's finale
Well, things are certainly slowing down here. Most of today's shooting is over, and competitors seem to be slowly trickling back to the hotel to prepare for tonight's banquet.
On tomorrow's docket: the four-man team championships.
Don't forget your ticket tonight!
On tomorrow's docket: the four-man team championships.
Don't forget your ticket tonight!
John Sigler's exclusive NRAblog.com interview
NRA President and retired Delaware Police Captain John Sigler had a long list of responsibilities at this week’s National Police Shooting Championships.But his biggest goal this week? “My goal is to renew old friendships. I’ve been a PPC shooter since I joined the Dover Delaware Police Department in 1971. I was also a referee here — actually, not here but at NPSC when it was held in Jackson, Mississippi. With that comes the opportunity to talk to the officers and find out what’s important to them now.”
“The NRA is one big family, and we have to remember NPSC is just one of 180 different programs. I talked to a competitor who is the chair of his community’s Friends of NRA Committee. I talked to another officer who is an Eddie Eagle officer. This is a grand opportunity to reacquaint myself with men and women in law enforcement here in the United States and throughout the world.”
Mr. Sigler walked throughout the Law Enforcement Exposition all week, talking with competitors, vendors, volunteers, and spectators.
“I’ve been out of the police force since 1991. I think it’s important for the NRA to have the ability to get the information we need to better serve the officers out in the field who are helping to keep their hometowns safe. It’s crucial.”
Mr. Sigler has a long history with the Championships, although he says he can no longer recall his best score.
“I competed at NPSC from 1972 to '80, when it was in Mississippi. I was a line referee and then later the chief referee from '92 until about four years ago. Dwight Van Horn and I shot together at a regional competition in Maryland. We probably met around 1977. I first met Tommy Gaines at the Police Nationals in Jackson probably in '72 or '73. Kayne Robinson, current Executive Director of General Operations, and I probably met on the line in Jackson MI in 1973. So these are long-term friendships.”
The rivalry and good-natured ribbing between departments has been noticed by the NRA’s President. He says it's always been a part of law enforcement competitions.
“You’ll see a sense of rivalry between federal officers and state officers, and state officers and county officers, detectives verses wheel cops — you’ll see that sense of rivalry, as in, ‘You’re not doing real police work’ — but it’s all friendly, and everyone understands that the community is really a tight-knit community.”
“We’re all in this together. Our challenges and our various communities that we serve may be different but it is one universal challenge. We each take an oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States and our state’s constitution and to serve the people that pay us. It is a service type of career and you understand, maybe not immediately but eventually you come to understand that their strength is in the strength of the communities they serve.”
Mr. Sigler has some valuable advice for competitors — advice I have heard time and time again this week from seasoned competitive shooters.
“Keep your sense of humor. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Take the job very seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.”
Regarding competitors hoping to improve their scores:
“I’ll quote Dwight Van Horn. I remember him being asked right after he and his partner won the world title a few years ago, before he was a referee and before he was on the NRA Board of Directors, “How do I get that good?” And Dwight’s answer was, “You stand knee-deep in brass.”
And that is the official word from the retired Police Captain, former and current competitive shooter, practicing attorney and dedicated defender of the Second Amendment John Sigler.
Awards office abustle
The line is stretching out of the awards office. Competitors are anxious to check in with Shelly and receive their awards.
If you'll be around the rest of the afternoon, you might consider waiting for the line to die down a bit.
If you'll be around the rest of the afternoon, you might consider waiting for the line to die down a bit.
Vasdasz "feels great"
It's all but official that U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Vadasz, pictured above shooting prone, is the 2008 National Police Shooting Championships champion.
"It feels great," Vadasz said. Regarding the "mental side" of things Hemphill mentioned, Vadasz said he's improving. "I think I'm doing better. I think shooting the Bianchi Cup has really helped me, has taught me a lot about the mental side of firearms competition."
"Definitely this year I've finally realized that the only person standing in the way of you winning a firearms competition is yourself."
"It feels great," Vadasz said. Regarding the "mental side" of things Hemphill mentioned, Vadasz said he's improving. "I think I'm doing better. I think shooting the Bianchi Cup has really helped me, has taught me a lot about the mental side of firearms competition."
"Definitely this year I've finally realized that the only person standing in the way of you winning a firearms competition is yourself."
Justin Hurst Memorial Trophy
The family of Justin Hurst, a Texas Game Warden killed by a poacher in March of 2007 on his 34th birthday, arrived at NPSC today to meet NRA President John Sigler, pictured above.
The Justin Hurst Memorial Trophy will be awarded annually at NPSC in honor of the fallen law enforcement official.
Below, Gunny R. Lee Ermey talks with the family and Sigler. "It's too bad we have to have these kinds of awards," Ermey said.
The Justin Hurst Memorial Trophy will be awarded annually at NPSC in honor of the fallen law enforcement official.
Below, Gunny R. Lee Ermey talks with the family and Sigler. "It's too bad we have to have these kinds of awards," Ermey said.
Cop Wear
The National Police Shooting Championships are coming to their conclusion and I haven't even begun to post all the apparel some of the competitors are wearing. The above sweatshirt caught my eye. It is a regulation from Alcatraz.
The picture below are the boots of Tim over at the NRA Store. He bought them at a Bass Pro Shop and says they are almost weightless. I just thought they were cute.
The picture below are the boots of Tim over at the NRA Store. He bought them at a Bass Pro Shop and says they are almost weightless. I just thought they were cute.
Let me know if you see something that should be on the blog! Shoot me an e-mail at dsturgis@nrahq.org or look for me in the far corner of the Award Office.
Gunny on the Range
The Gunny has arrived. He has a "popularity problem," according to LEAD Director Hoyer. While attempting to leave Building B and enter the range, competitors, spectators, and volunteers alike were clamoring for the opportunity to take their photo with the Gunny.
Gunny and Hoyer walk out to the two-man team match.
Gunny takes a minute to swap stories with the referees on the range.
Gunny and Albuquerque Deputy Chief of Police Michael Castro talk under the scoring tent.
Check out the entire album in slideshow format, below, and don't forget to attend the Awards Ceremony, which Gunny will keynote.
Gunny and Hoyer walk out to the two-man team match.
Gunny takes a minute to swap stories with the referees on the range.
Gunny and Albuquerque Deputy Chief of Police Michael Castro talk under the scoring tent.
Check out the entire album in slideshow format, below, and don't forget to attend the Awards Ceremony, which Gunny will keynote.
Wednesday morning
It's hard to believe it's Wednesday already! Tonight is the awards ceremony and all eyes will be on the NPSC champion of 2008.
Right now the sky is clear and the temperature is hovering around 55 degrees with a high of 85 degrees.
I'm off to the range to see the team matches begin. Also, the shotgun championship concludes. We aren't ignoring the shotgun championship — check back for photos today!
And to those of you who were looking forward to the posts featuring my interviews with NRA Board members Van Horn and Pawol, you won't be waiting much longer! Additionally, thanks to a reader's comment, I realize the man believed to be Board member Allen is not Allen. Not to worry. I will bring you an exclusive interview with active-duty policeman Allen, the only Board member competing in the entire Championships.
Right now the sky is clear and the temperature is hovering around 55 degrees with a high of 85 degrees.
I'm off to the range to see the team matches begin. Also, the shotgun championship concludes. We aren't ignoring the shotgun championship — check back for photos today!
And to those of you who were looking forward to the posts featuring my interviews with NRA Board members Van Horn and Pawol, you won't be waiting much longer! Additionally, thanks to a reader's comment, I realize the man believed to be Board member Allen is not Allen. Not to worry. I will bring you an exclusive interview with active-duty policeman Allen, the only Board member competing in the entire Championships.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Match 22 results bulletin
View the results bulletin in its entirety here.
MATCH NUMBER 22
2008 NRA NATIONAL POLICE SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
PRELIMINARY RESULTS BULLETIN
Individual Championship (Aggregate of Matches #6 and #13)
Total competitors entered: 291
Total competitors firing: 277
Total zero scores: 14
1st Place: AGENT ROBERT M. VADASZ, U.S. BORDER PATROL, TAMPA, FL, 2980-195X
2nd Place: AGENT ENOCH J. SMITH, U.S. BORDER PATROL, SANTA TERESA, NM, 2967-187X
3rd Place: LTC JOHN C. POOLE, U.S. BORDER PATROL, GIBRALTAR, MI, 2963-189X
High Woman: DET STEFANIE DIAZ, LOS ANGELES PD, SANTA CLARITA, CA, 2939-153X
High Non-U.S. Citizen: CPT MARC KLESER, 2952-175X
High Reserve Officer: RAYMOND V. BEDNAR, SACRAMENTO CO. SHERIFF, SACRAMENTO, CA, 2877-107X
High State Trooper: CPL DAN J. RAWLINSON, MS HIGHWAY PATROL, BRANDON, MS, 2957-175X
High Conservation Officer: RNGR MICHAEL J. DOWD, COLORADO STATE PARKS, PUEBLO, CO, 2945-165X
High Retired Officer: LTC PAT CRONIN, MS HIGHWAY PATROL, CLINTON, MS, 2963-174X
Over 61: DET LYLE E. SCHROEDER, MI STATE POLICE, CUMMING, GA, 2899-122X
High Sheriff-Deputy: DEP JERRY P. EASON, SACRAMENTO CO. SHERIFF, PENN VALLEY, CA, 2943-168X
High Federal: AGENT ROBERT M. VADASZ, U.S. BORDER PATROL, TAMPA, FL, 2980-195X
High Municipal: BRIAN A. HAUPTMANN, LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT, LONG BEACH, CA, 2959-170X
Eddie Eagle @ NPSC
Eddie Eagle's booth has been a flurry of activity. Give aways include the Eddie Eagle comic books, DVD, and stickers, pictured above.
"We've had a lot of competitors stopping by to see what they can pick up to bring back to their departments," Eddie Eagle manager Eric Lipp said. "We've also experienced competitors stopping by to let us know how the program works for them and to check on new, supplemental materials for their existing programs."
The Eddie Eagle program recently announced it has reached 21 million children with its message of gun safety.
As a promotion specific to the National Police Shooting Championships, the department is offering a raffle in which one lucky agency will win its own Eddie Eagle.
"We're advertising a New Mexico costume contest where the winning law enforcement agency has the chance to win an Eddie Eagle costume valued at more than $2,600," Lipp said.
Stop by the booth in Building B, pictured below, or, if you can't make it tomorrow, e-mail eddie@nrahq.org or call 800-231-0752.
"We've had a lot of competitors stopping by to see what they can pick up to bring back to their departments," Eddie Eagle manager Eric Lipp said. "We've also experienced competitors stopping by to let us know how the program works for them and to check on new, supplemental materials for their existing programs."
The Eddie Eagle program recently announced it has reached 21 million children with its message of gun safety.
As a promotion specific to the National Police Shooting Championships, the department is offering a raffle in which one lucky agency will win its own Eddie Eagle.
"We're advertising a New Mexico costume contest where the winning law enforcement agency has the chance to win an Eddie Eagle costume valued at more than $2,600," Lipp said.
Stop by the booth in Building B, pictured below, or, if you can't make it tomorrow, e-mail eddie@nrahq.org or call 800-231-0752.
Stock Semi Auto Pistol Championship
The Stock Semi Auto Championship is underway. Vadasz is in relay one and if I'm not too late I'll be posting some pictures of what might be yet another Vadasz win.
Distinguished Semi Auto Championship
The Distinguished Semi Auto Pistol Championship is underway and it is hot out there. It's 87 degrees but it feels warmer. There isn't much wind or humidity. The shooters I've talked to are relatively happy with today's conditions.
While on the line taking photos of relay 2 I spotted Board member Bill Allen. When he finishes today's matches I'll be sure to get a word with him. Keep your eye out for Board member profiles, coming shortly to NRAblog.com!
While on the line taking photos of relay 2 I spotted Board member Bill Allen. When he finishes today's matches I'll be sure to get a word with him. Keep your eye out for Board member profiles, coming shortly to NRAblog.com!
Extended Registration for Team Matches
If you're interested in competiting in the two- or four-man competition, the deadline has been extended. You can register your team in the Stat Office, pictured above and located in Building A, until 4 p.m., Mountain time. (These blog posts are timestamped with Eastern time. My apologies.)
Vadasz strikes again?
The word on the street--or, I guess, on the range--is that U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Vadasz will walk away from today's match with one more notch on his belt.
I'll head over to bother the Stat office again in a minute.
Anyone have any predictions on who will be wearing the Beretta USA Champion Ring at the end of this week?
I'll head over to bother the Stat office again in a minute.
Anyone have any predictions on who will be wearing the Beretta USA Champion Ring at the end of this week?
Commemorative NPSC 2008 Blackhawk knife
One of the perks of my job is being surrounded by knowledgeable people. A few minutes ago, NRA Executive Director Kayne Robinson took the time to provide me with a lesson in flinging open a knife. The knife, by the way, is a limited edition, commemorative NPSC Blackhawk model. A big thanks to the guys in the Law Enforcement Actitivities Division for trusting me enough to give me a knife. (My boss advised me to stick with pistols.)
I'm not planning on entering any knife fights, but you just never know when you might need this skill. And I'm not aware of any other Media Specialists who receive this sort of training.
Mr. Robinson took a minute to give me his Executive report on this year's NPSC: "We have 150 more shooters than last year," he said. "People are having a good time, and Albuquerque is a wonderful host."
I'm not planning on entering any knife fights, but you just never know when you might need this skill. And I'm not aware of any other Media Specialists who receive this sort of training.
Mr. Robinson took a minute to give me his Executive report on this year's NPSC: "We have 150 more shooters than last year," he said. "People are having a good time, and Albuquerque is a wonderful host."
Award distribution: full steam ahead
The Award Office is bustling with activity as competitors stop in to collect their prizes. Many will be awarded at Wednesday night's award banquet but some are available ahead of time.
Don't forget to sign a waiver if you know you'll be leaving before the award ceremony. You have two options: you may designate another competitor to receive your award or you may give a shipping address.
Don't forget to sign a waiver if you know you'll be leaving before the award ceremony. You have two options: you may designate another competitor to receive your award or you may give a shipping address.
Big Papa's Bar-B-Que @ NPSC
As a dedicated investigative blogger, I located the source of these gargantuan entrees: Big Papa's Bar-B-Que and More is located right outside Building B. I visited with the concession workers, who say business is good.
For six bucks you too can enjoy a smoked turkey leg! Other menu items include smoked hot links, chips, and grilled corn on the cob. Personally, I would like to see the NPSC Food Court catch on to the State Fair theme and do "foods on a stick." Yum.
This morning on the range
While waiting for their relay to be announced, the shooters of the Trinidad-Tobago pistol team chat with an NPSC referee.
The mood was light as referees, photographers, and spectators watched the second relay.
Additional results
Thanks to our Stat Office we have PDFs of the 1500 match's results.
Check out the top scorers here.
Sorry for the delays and thanks for your patience! By NPSC 2009 we will have this down to a science, we promise.
Check out the top scorers here.
Sorry for the delays and thanks for your patience! By NPSC 2009 we will have this down to a science, we promise.
Vadasz fumbles
Just a few minutes ago, U.S. Border Patrol Agent and potential 2008 NPSC champ Robert Vadasz had a bit of a scare.
He was shooting from 25 yards in the first relay of the open class semi-auto pistol 1500 when a magazine fell from his belt to the ground. Unsure of the consequence, the refs gathered in a huddle to decide his fate.
Meanwhile, Vadasz re-enacted the scene for his fellow Border Patrol team members, above.
I asked the ref if the drop constituted a foul.
"Girl, do you see any blood over there?" he asked me. "No blood, no foul."
So there you have it. As long as it's not ammunition being loaded for use during the match, a drop has no penalty.
He was shooting from 25 yards in the first relay of the open class semi-auto pistol 1500 when a magazine fell from his belt to the ground. Unsure of the consequence, the refs gathered in a huddle to decide his fate.
Meanwhile, Vadasz re-enacted the scene for his fellow Border Patrol team members, above.
I asked the ref if the drop constituted a foul.
"Girl, do you see any blood over there?" he asked me. "No blood, no foul."
So there you have it. As long as it's not ammunition being loaded for use during the match, a drop has no penalty.
Hemphill speaks
Captain Philip Hemphill, nine-time National Police Shooting Champion and current NPSC referee, was watching Robert Vadasz closely on the line during this morning's first relay of the Open Class Semi-Auto Pistol 1500.
I asked Hemphill if he considered Vadasz to be a student of his, and he said, "I talk to him about the mental stuff a lot, if that's what you mean."
So does Hemphill think Vadasz has what it takes to be the NPSC's next shooting star?
"He has the mechanics down. It's the mental stuff. I tell him you can't take this too seriously.
So, yes, he has the potential."
Tuesday's schedule
It's another beautiful morning here at Shooting Range Park in Albuquerque. The temperature is 62 degrees with a predicted high of 83 degrees.
Out on the range the Open Class Semi-Automatic Pistol 1500 match is underway. The cumulative scores of matches 8 through 12 will be totaled to determine this match's winner.
As usual the Law Enforcement Exposition is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. but some vendors are already here.
Visit our friends over at the NRA Store — Dave is a bit of an early bird — or head out to the range to watch the action.
NRA Store at NPSC
The NRA Store at NPSC is selling out of 2008 NPSC polo tees in certain sizes. Hurry over to get yours now. Located in Building B, the NRA store takes up an entire corner of the exhibit hall. Ball caps, umbrellas, and shot glasses are a few of the other items Crazy Dave has available. Tell him NRAblog.com sent you!
Pictured above, the dedicated staff of the NRA Store at NPSC are (left to right): Dan, Crazy Dave, Mark, Mark the Staff Instructor, and Tim.
The 10 o'clock news
NPSC was featured on channel 7's 10 o'clock news hour tonight.
In addition to some great footage of competitors shooting the Distinguished Revolver Championship, NRA President John Sigler was interviewed. He mentioned the "exchange of ideas" and it reminded me of something he told me in an exclusive NRAblog.com interview yesterday:
"The officers here are exchanging ideas on a lot of things. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there isn't a case that's solved here. We'll never know about it. The exchange of ideas and the exchange of training methods — you have officers from all over the world here — is an opportunity for officers to prove their skills, but also to pick up some new ideas to take home from their department."
Look for the rest of the interview soon!
In addition to some great footage of competitors shooting the Distinguished Revolver Championship, NRA President John Sigler was interviewed. He mentioned the "exchange of ideas" and it reminded me of something he told me in an exclusive NRAblog.com interview yesterday:
"The officers here are exchanging ideas on a lot of things. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there isn't a case that's solved here. We'll never know about it. The exchange of ideas and the exchange of training methods — you have officers from all over the world here — is an opportunity for officers to prove their skills, but also to pick up some new ideas to take home from their department."
Look for the rest of the interview soon!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Unconfirmed results
I'm leaving the range to watch channel 7, so I'm counting on Tiffany or John to e-mail or call me with final results. The Stat Office is busy sorting through protests and all I'm hearing is speculation.
Check out the photos from the 50 yard line in the slideshow above.
The Next Hemphill?
The Stat Office isn't saying anything "officially," but my sources tell me the U.S. Border Patrol's Robert Vadasz is the 1500 Champion. "He's the next Hemphill," a source said.
Final results are in the works. Stay tuned!
Final results are in the works. Stay tuned!
Award Office is open
The Award Office is active and open. Competitors have been coming in to ooh and aah over the table of firearms, partially shown below, which will be awarded to winning scorers.
We here at the NRA would like to offer our sincere thanks to Beretta U.S.A., the sponsor of the pictured official NPSC champion rings for Champion and High Woman scorers. "Beretta is a long-time supporter of the National Police Shooting Championships," LEAD Director Glen Hoyer said. "We're thrilled to have their sponsorship."
The rings as well as many awards will be presented at Wednesday night's Award Ceremony.
Competitors are stopping by the Award Office to pick up awards earned during the practice match as well as raffle prizes.
Today is the first day the Award Office is open. Office hours will mirror the Stat Office's hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Just stop in and check with Shelly. She knows her stuff.
We here at the NRA would like to offer our sincere thanks to Beretta U.S.A., the sponsor of the pictured official NPSC champion rings for Champion and High Woman scorers. "Beretta is a long-time supporter of the National Police Shooting Championships," LEAD Director Glen Hoyer said. "We're thrilled to have their sponsorship."
The rings as well as many awards will be presented at Wednesday night's Award Ceremony.
Competitors are stopping by the Award Office to pick up awards earned during the practice match as well as raffle prizes.
Today is the first day the Award Office is open. Office hours will mirror the Stat Office's hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Just stop in and check with Shelly. She knows her stuff.
Service Revolver Championship
The Service Revolver Championship is entering into its second relay and it's anyone's game. The referees wouldn't give me any predictions. Chief Referee (and NRA Board Member) Dwight van Horn has been on the range all day. If we're lucky he'll agree to sit down and give us an exclusive interview. We've heard a lot of things about him and we're eager to hear what parts of it are factual.
The Law Enforcement Exposition closes at 4 p.m. today and NRA News has wrapped its taping for the day. Monday is winding down.
The Law Enforcement Exposition closes at 4 p.m. today and NRA News has wrapped its taping for the day. Monday is winding down.
Today on NRA News
You don't have to be in the greater Albuquerque area to witness this broadcast. Watch NRANews online.
Today's guests include:
NRA President John Sigler
NRA Director of Law Enforcement Activities Division Glen Hoyer, pictured above with NRANews host Cam Edwards
NRA Eddie Eagle Manager Eric Lipp
On a side note, Eric Lipp invites everyone at NPSC to stop by the Eddie Eagle booth in Building B for some free Eddie Eagle items. Eddie Eagle's booth will be featured as tomorrow's Vendor of the Day and they will be here all week.
Service Revolver begins
The Service Revolver Championship's first match is about to begin. The PA system just encouraged all Match One shooters to bring their revolvers to the line.
Check back for photos!
Check back for photos!
Another media visit
Channel 7 was on premise getting some footage for their evening news. They estimate we will be on the 6 o'clock news and possibly also on the 10 o'clock news.
John Sigler talked with the cameraman about the importance of the exchange of ideas among law enforcement professionals. He had the following to say regarding how NPSC facilitates that exchange: "You get different perspectives, different takes on new equipment, new techniques."
If you're in the greater Albuquerque area, be sure to tune it and check it out.
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