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Firearms Expertise - Member Survey ResultsThe membership was surveyed for the following information:
The following data is based on their responses, plus some personal knowledge of members' backgrounds. A very large majority of the respondents began shooting sometime between the ages of 6 to 12. One member began at the age of three with his father holding the .22 rifle and the youngster aiming and pulling the trigger. Well over 50% of the respondents have more than 30 years experience with firearms, with many having over 50 years experience. The educational level of the members extends from high school through doctorate level as well as professional degrees (veterinarian, lawyer, professional engineer, etc.). We have members who received training in firearms from all branches of the military, including Special Forces. This includes people trained as far back as WWII. Several members received Sniper, Close Quarter Battle, and other very specialized training. The military rank of the members range for enlisted through E9 (command sergeant major) and for officers through Colonel and Navy Captain. Several of these members served as military firearms instructors. We have a wide variety of law enforcement officers (both former and current) including those from Albuquerque Police Dept., USAF Office of Special Investigations, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Dept., Border Patrol, Bureau of Land Management, Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Indiana State Police, L.A. County Sheriff's Dept., Los Alamos National Laboratory Protective Force, NM Game & Fish Dept., NM Mounted Patrol, NM State Police, Rio Rancho DPS, Sandoval County Sheriff's Dept., US Fish & Wildlife, US Marshal's Office, and a former City Marshal from Texas. All present and former law enforcement officers have gone through periodic mandatory firearms qualifications. This involves both daytime and nighttime shooting. We have fifteen (15) firearms instructors certified by the NRA in one (and often more than one) NRA approved courses. Several members have also been certified by various Military and Law Enforcement Agencies. Others are certified range officers for various shooting disciplines. In addition, we have eight (8) Hunter Safety certified instructors and two (2) NMLRA certified muzzleloader instructors. One member is an expert in Firearms Forensics and Wound Ballistics with many published papers on these subjects. At least one member builds his own rifles and another runs a gun shop and is a gunsmith. Many members reload for rifle, handgun and shotgun. Several members hold, or have held, Federal Firearms Licenses (FFL). One member was involved in a testing program for a firearms manufacturer. One member worked with a Hollywood studio to teach "almost cowboys how to fast draw a six shooter, along with some slight gun juggling, not to mention showing them how to handle a gun with safety and caution." One member has had articles in the 1983 and 1985 Gun Digest and the 40th Anniversary Gun Digest Treasury. Another member has written articles for the Cast Bullet Association. A third member has written articles for various gun organization newsletters. Several members have served as instructors for junior shooters in competition, Hunter Safety, 4H, and Boy Scout programs. Many of our members have participated in formal firearms competition of all types, both locally and nationally. Several are Master Level in their shooting discipline. A lot of members are hunters. This includes use of rifle and pistol (smokeless and blackpowder), and bow & arrow. One member has a Boone & Crockett record grizzly and several Safari Club record animals. Another member is a registered Guide/Outfitter in New Mexico. This is an outstanding level of competence and knowledge of firearms for a Club our size. As we grow in membership, we hope to share this knowledge with new members and accumulate even more expertise from those joining us.
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