You hit the X-Ring Duckgumbo!
Lots and lots of local clubs don't have ANYONE shooting silhouette. At the local level having a true off the shelf gun shooting game is attractive. The reason for this is very simple. For the vast majority of people shooting is more of a social event (getting together with people who don't think guns are "bad") than it is a real competition. However no one has much interest in trying to race a Donkey against a real Race Horse, as the outcome is known in advance.
The PCP's are easier to shoot higher scores with and will drive the springers into the closets. That wouldn't be so bad except most springer shooters are going to slowly start not showing up once the first Target gun with sling studs comes to the local match and does well.
A sport is not about equipment it is about people. If the attention is spent on the equipment such as corked bats and steroids in baseball it dimenishes the sport. The shooting sports do not need better equipment to survive they need particpants. I have never once seen a gun pay for a membership or an entry fee. I have no problem with the racers racing, but there should be a low cost level playing field for the rest who wish to enjoy a social event that revolves around shooting. Winning at all costs eventually costs all of us the entire sport.
After reading all the very interesting posts, I was compelled to reply.
Especially since Dadian or someone in one of the first posts mentioned my name.
First, forget the NRA listening to ANYTHING reasonable that is in the best interest of the sport. We are living proof that if a letter from the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Senator and State Representative have no bearing on the type of reception the competitors will receive helps anyone get a National NRA event.
Second, we are hosting a state air rifle championship at the request of many of our regular competitors to our state match. We do not have ANYONE in our club shooting air rifle silhouette, but wish to do anything to help this sport. Regardless of what anyone thinks about the Texans, they are being gracious enough to bring the targets and extra equipment for anyone that is new to the sport.
We are hoping for enough of a turnout to be able to host a NRA National Air Rifle Championship next year. We talked to an individual (who will remain unnamed but not GC) at the SHOT Show and he was very positive about this.
We do not care about rule changes, just holding the best match that we can so that everyone who attends will have a good time and hopefully shoot really well. After all , it is like David Hamaker, Texas, says, " It ain't about how many animals you hit, but do you look good doing it!"
David G. McLemore
