Civilian Marksmanship Program

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U. S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms and airguns through gun safety training, marksmanship training and competitions. The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places its highest priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills. Links on this page will lead you to more detailed information about the CMP and its programs.
Statutory mission. The federal law enacted in 1996 (Title 36 U. S. Code, 40701-40733) that created the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety, Inc. (CPRPFS, the formal legal name of the CMP) mandates these key “functions for the corporation:

  1. To instruct citizens of the United States in marksmanship;
  2. To promote practice and safety in the use of firearms;
  3. To conduct competitions in the use of firearms and to award trophies, prizes, badges, and other insignia to competitors.

The law specifically states: In carrying out the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the corporation shall give priority to activities that benefit firearms safety, training, and competition for youth and that reach as many youth participants as possible.

Competitive marksmanship is a big part of CMP’s mission. It reinforces firearms safety and enables competitors to further develop their marksmanship skills and in many cases, earn recognition for doing so. In the information that follows you’ll find news and descriptions of upcoming matches, how to enter them and more information on course of fire and what you can expect from your participation.

If you’re new to competitive shooting, CMP and its affiliated clubs and organizations continually sponsor clinics and workshops to help get you up to speed.

Thanks for exploring Competitions and, as always, feel free to contact us with questions at competitions@thecmp.org or (419) 635-2141 ext. 706 or 714.

Click HERE for match results.