The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is a program that is dedicated to teaching firearms safety and marksmanship skills to both civilians and members of the United States Armed Forces. It offers a variety of firearms training opportunities, including competitions, clinics, camps, and educational programs. CMP also provides resources for shooting sports enthusiasts, such as marksmanship equipment, ammunition, and accessories. This article will explore the history of the CMP and provide an overview of its activities and services.
The CMP provides firearms safety education, training, and marksmanship competitions for civilians across the United States. Established in 1903 by Congress, it is one of the oldest government-sanctioned civilian shooting programs in the world. The program’s mission is to encourage gun safety and increase participation in rifle marksmanship activities at all levels.
The CMP works with local clubs, state associations and national organizations to promote teaching safety, firearms use and proper techniques for handling firearms. It also offers a variety of instructional classes covering topics such as basic range instruction, competition rules, responsible gun ownership, and hunter education courses. Additionally, it hosts multiple matches throughout the year that provide shooters from all backgrounds an opportunity to compete against each other on ranges located both inside and outside of military installations.
The CMP also offers an extensive purchase program that allows people to buy historic military-style firearms directly. This includes rifles such as M1 Garands, M1903 Springfields, and M1917 Enfields among others. These firearms can be purchased from the CMP through a variety of methods including online orders or at one of its three stores located in Alabama, Ohio, and Georgia. All purchases are subject to approval by the CMP before finalizing the sale.
How do I get involved? Visit https://thecmp.org/ to learn about local clubs in your area, national matches, and the purchase program.
In conclusion, the Civilian Marksmanship Program is a great resource for those interested in getting involved in firearms and marksmanship. It provides excellent educational resources and access to competitive shooting events for all ages. Through its efforts to increase responsible firearms ownership, the CMP has helped foster a safe environment for learning and recreational shooting. Additionally, its youth programs have created opportunities for young people to get involved in competitive shooting sports.