Camp Perry champion Ira Jones was recently asked to speak to a 4H group in North Carolina, and he called NRAblog to get some information. "They're going to have some questions, and I may not know the NRA's policy," he explained. (Read this article from Carolina Coast Online to learn about Jones' competitive shooting history.)

We're confident Jones' message will be well received. The retired U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor has no problem telling kids how it is.

"Discipline is key, in shooting and in life," he told NRAblog. “The sign of a man is that he looks you in the eye, he doesn’tmumble, he’s polite,” Jones said. “And these kids [who shoot competitively]are. This turns young men and women into responsible adults.”

Jones wants young people to know it's not a terrible challenge to get started in competitive shooting. "When I was 10 years old my father presented me with a singleshot Winchester 67 .22," he said. "That’s what I learned how to shoot with, and you can buy these at pawn shops for under a hundred dollars these days."

"You can go from a 22 to an M1 and compete," he said. "There's a lot of venues [to get started in competitive shooting] but you can start off with a .22." 

Jones said if one of the students in the audience takes an interest in competitive shooting his time will be well spent. "I’d love to see [new faces] on the line at Camp Perry."

And he has no doubts about the young people already in the competitive shooting community. "I shot right next to a 16 year old at Camp Perry this year who kicked my butt," he admits. "I know his dad and I know his coach... These kids that go to Perry, they’re teenagers. But when youput a rifle in their hands, and when they walk to the firing line from the ready line,they’re business."

"The teenager strays on ready line, and it's the competitor goes to firing line."

Jones will deliver his presentation to the 4H group on November 1. Stay tuned for a follow-up interview.