IPSC Pan American Shotgun Championship draws competitors from around the world

  American Trigger Sports Network's James B. Towle
hosts field report with (L-R) me, ATSN correspondent
Gretchen Martin, and Park Mammoth Resort's Nick Noble.

Michael Voigt of the United States took the top spot in the Open Division  of the 2010 International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Pan American Shotgun Championship, held at Park Mammoth Resort's Rockcastle Shooting Center.  Roberto Vezzoli of Italy took first place in the Standard Division and Roger Karp of Finland took top honors in the Standard Manual Division.

I spent the past week covering the event for American Trigger Sports Network and had a chance to interview competitors and range officers from all over the world, plus a politician or two, including Senate hopeful Rand Paul.

Field correspondent Gretchen Martin and I talk with Park Mammoth Resort co-owner Nick Noble in the current episode of "Trigger Sports Live!," which will be playing on the ATSN main site (until it gets replaced by tomorrow's show, at which point it will go into archives). I'd like to discuss the event in more detail with host James B. Towle in tomorrow's program, plus I intend to write follow-up reports that give more detail about the people, the competition and the facilities. Until then, I'd simply like to convey what a great experience this was--I met nice people from all over the world, and the Rockcastle facility is one I'm intending to introduce my family to.

As we covered the event from opening through closing ceremonies, and caught some great action footage throughout the zones and stages, American Trigger Sports Network will be releasing a DVD. I'll be sure and provide information on how to get it at a later date. It will have some great action shots most people aren't used to seeing. Strategically-placed cameras give a near-target point of view, and the effect is really quite dramatic.

Regular readers will recognize reporting events like this is quite a departure from what I usually cover. I typically focus on the gun rights aspect and leave sport shooting to others, but the fact is we need a dynamic shooting community from which to draw committed and knowledgeable advocates for the right to keep and bear arms. And with recent developments in the area of international "gun control," we should cultivate all the foreign friends we can make. 

For as much as the antis and the media like to portray gun owners as violent, all I can say is if you left international relations up to shooters, we wouldn't have wars--we'd have matches. And afterward, everyone would gather under a big tent in the spirit of celebration, fellowship and camaraderie.

Also see:

Competition results

See IPSC Shotgun Competition Rules, Appendices D-1, D-3 and D-4 for Division requirements.

Hot shooting at Pan American calls for cool head

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