Civilian Marksmanship Program

The National Defense Act of 1916 created the Office of the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM), under the Board. For many years, the DCM’s programs were managed by the Army. However, the National Defense Authorization Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-106, effective date: 2/10/96) transferred the DCM’s function to a new, private, non-profit corporation chartered specifically for this purpose. The CMP has no future federal funding and the Corporation must rely entirely upon income generated through sales of rifles, ammunition and related equipment; affiliation and match fees; etc. The Corporation is tax-exempt and may solicit funds and services by donation or request. All funds collected by the Corporation may be used only to support the official functions of the CMP. The DCM is a civilian employed by the Board of Directors and is the chief administrative officer for the daily operations of the CMP. The CMP is authorized to loan, sell or lease rifles, ammunition, targets and other supplies to qualifying clubs and associations. CMP may provide .22 rimfire ammunition and .177 caliber pellets for use by shooters ages 10-20, based on junior members’ participation in the affiliated organization’s programs. Youth programs conducted by the Boy Scouts of America, 4-H, American Legion, and other civic groups are a priority. Competitors 20 years of age and under may receive travel stipends to attend the National Trophy Matches, the Small Arms Firing School held during the matches, and special training clinics. The CMP is authorized to sell surplus M1 "Garand" rifles, ammunition, rifle repair parts and accessories, and competition gear such as shooting jackets and targets, to individual members of its affiliated organizations actively engaged in marksmanship training. Match-grade AR-15s may be purchased through the CMP, by affiliated organizations. The new entity, the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety, Inc., is directed by a nine-member board of directors initially appointed by the Secretary of the Army. The restructuring of the CMP, earnestly supported by the NRA, was opposed by anti-gun Members of Congress, who would prefer to abolish the program entirely, eliminating its firearm safety training activities and destroying its rifles and ammunition.