— Dr. Andrew Tadie
As to the species of exercise I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.
— Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1785
An unforeseen new industry arose. Simply owning and wearing a sidearm did not mean that you knew how to use it, and Wyomingans enrolled themselves by the thousands in the many new defensive shooting schools. Their quality was generally very good, as most of these schools were taught by graduates of Thunder Ranch, Gunsite, and other prestigious firearm academies. Depending on the training, expertise, and teaching skill of the instructors, the schools offered anything from Basic Handgun to Team Tactics to Urban Battle Rifle to Precision Rifle. One school, jokingly called "Half-Inch Harvard," specialized only in training students with their .50BMG target rifles at ranges up to 1500yds. Thousands of gunowners began to learn the extent of what they assumed they knew, and it was a rather humbling experience to confront one's own ignorance. As a result, negligent discharges (called "accidents" by the uninformed) became more uncommon, and the safety of gunhandling increased dramatically.
The "rash of gunfire" predicted by TIME magazine never happened, nor did Newsweek's forecasted "daily Main Street shootouts." Conservative political pundits reminded the public that such wild and unfounded predictions previously had been made about those 36 States which had enacted "shall issue" concealed carry legislation.
Street crime, always low in Wyoming, became virtually nonexistent. Each newly armed Wyomingite created his/her own new "crime-free zone," and criminals, for once in their wretched lives, just didn't feel "safe" anymore. As Wyoming became (to paraphrase Robert Heinlein) "an armed and polite society" the demand for local police and sheriffs' deputies fell by about 2% per month. Law enforcement personnel began looking for other work as the armed Citizens became, in a sense, de facto peace officers.
Preston's "proper environment" worked. The Eastern Fascists and California Commies stayed put. They simply could not fathom mixing in some "Wild West" society. Many lost their moving company deposits when they cancelled their "Go West" relocation plans. Thousands already at sail in socialist junks came about and returned to their liberal ports of call.
Of the several hundred who actually made it to Wyoming and gave the place a fair chance, over half had a profound philosophical and political conversion, and stayed on. Here, one didn't live by smarmy platitudes or backhanded tributes to Truth and Justice. Here, there was Truth and Justice for every Citizen, regardless of one's melatonin or wallet girth.
Many of them increasingly embraced the shooting culture with great vigor. One of their favorite new hobbies was to email lurid jpgs of themselves shooting Colt 1911s, Glocks, AR15s, AK47s, M1As, and FALs to their old pinko friends. This caused quite an uproar back East.
One self-described "former inmate of Greenwich Village" had really been bitten by the gunbug. CBS 60 Minutes included him in their story on Wyoming, filming him at "Half-Inch Harvard" in camo fatigues firing .50BMG API from a Barrett M99 at a 400yd steel plate. "When the target needs just a bit more than API, it's time for a Raufoss5 ! It goes to 11!" The CBS cameraman, also a fan of the comedy film Spinal Tap, immediately got the joke and barely stifled a guffaw. "Raufoss Ralph" made sure that his NY relatives tuned in for the segment's airing. Predictably, they were outraged and tried to have him declared insane, but nobody had much interest in going out to Gillette to fetch him for the hearing. "That entire state is already a loony bin, so let's just leave him there!" reasoned his sister.
The few gunphobes still living in Wyoming, however, now faced the Hobson's choice of wearing a handgun (which they did not and would not own, much less wear), or bearing the brunt of the state's sales tax. Dozens tried to circumvent this by wearing realistic airsoft pistols in leather holsters, but they were quickly caught and convicted of fraud and sales tax evasion. Cornered by their own mealy politics and personal irresponsibility (they wanted the police to protect them, but didn't want to single-handedly fund them), they began to move out — a benefit not contemplated by Preston.
Washington, D.C.
November 2015
Until this fearful mommyfied welfare state is replaced by a restored nation of self-sufficient households led by men — not the word is not "persons," but "men" — willing to sling a loaded M14 or M1 Garand over their shoulder (engage the safety), stride down the busiest street in town, walk up to the first armed policeman they see, and fearlessly declare, "I am an armed citizen and member of the militia; I am teaching my sons to safely and effectively keep and bear arms; are you going to congratulate me and thank me, or do we shoot it out right here?" we are well on our way to becoming a nation of armed overseers and peasant slaves.
— Vin Suprynowicz, The Ballad of Carl Drega (2002), p. 387
Wyoming had called the bluff of enforcement. People simply went about armed wherever they went. It was too late for federal roadblocks and checkpoints. The armed Citizens, not the fedgoons, now had the superior numbers. If BATF agents began unconstitutionally enforcing the "school zone" gun ban overturned by Lopez, or if they tried to arrest anybody selling a privately owned gun outside of the federal NICS registration system, they'd be resisted — and they knew it. More importantly, Wyomingites knew it.
To circumvent the unlawful federal ban on private transfers at gun shows, folks simply created "collectors clubs" and put on "private exhibits" for the club members (who all knew each other). You walked in with a rifle case, and left with a rifle case. Whether the case had been full and then empty, or empty and then full, no outside BATF observer could discern. Besides, all the local BATF agents had been identified long ago, and flyers circulated with pictures of their faces and cars. The idea caught on across the West and catalogs were being compiled of agents in Montana, South Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, and western Colorado. No longer could, for example, a Billings-based BATF agent spy on Wyoming gun shows in anonymity. Doormen at shows checked the drivers' licenses of suspected agents, and those caught were hounded out of the building.
There hadn't been a BATF arrest in Wyoming since the summer of 2012. The BATmen had no choice but to move on to more docile pastures such as northern Utah and eastern Colorado.
President Connor remained deeply disturbed about Wyoming's sales tax exemption for armed customers. "Wear a gun and pay no sales tax? It's obscene! What's next, tax breaks for snipers?"
Cheyenne, Wyoming
November 2015
No person will be enlisted who cannot when firing at the distance of 200 yards, at a rest, put ten consecutive shots in a target, the average distance not to exceed five inches from the centre of the bull's eye to the center of the ball.
(Author note: This is a 10" diameter at 200yds, or 5MOA.)
— Vermont qualifications for enlistment, 1861
The lessons that ought to be learned [from the Boer War], I think, are three. First, men fight their very best when they fight to defend their homelands against a foreign invader. Second, when it comes to imparting of skill the public sector can never equal the private. Third, marksmanship is an art to be cultivated rather than a commodity to be issued. (at 367)
I have gradually come round to the conclusion, over the several decades of endeavor, that marksmanship cannot be taught "in bulk." ...no training system designed for departments or armies can hope to develop artists — and marksmanship is definitely an art.
The study of history shows us that really good combat rifleman come from a cultural base in which rifle shooting is practiced both as a sport and a means of substance.
As our civilization decays, we have lessening opportunity to acquire young men for our public defense who know anything about guns or fighting. Our consolation may be that our prospective enemies are no better off. (at 720)
— Jeff Cooper, The Gargantuan Gunsite Gossip 2 (2001)
On hearing of the President's frustrated remark from Phillip Miles, Preston smiled. "Tax breaks for snipers
. Hmmm. I think Connor's on to something! What about this: why not give a, let's see...biennial $500 tax credit to those who can shoot a tight group at long range? I mean, wouldn't you pay just $250 a year to maintain a competent rifleman? Sounds like a bargain to me! Aren't the states supposed to cultivate riflery for citizen militiamen?"
After much public debate, 4MOA at 300yds became the criterion6.
4MOA was considered demanding enough to demonstrate true talent (being able to hit a stationary clay pigeon at 100yds), yet not so stringent as to unfairly exclude capable riflemen. Most of the debate centered on whether or not to handicap the more accurate rifles (i.e., bolt-actions with scopes) by requiring of them a smaller group. After input from the entire state, it was decided that the same 4MOA would be required from all guns, but that a 45 second time limit would be imposed. Such would indirectly handicap the manual repeaters and thus make them pay for their superior accuracy — sort of like actual combat.
Some folks wanted to toughen things up by mandating "Mexican Match" (where all shooters use not only a common caliber such as the .308, but common ammunition, such as Federal Premium or M118 FMJ), but this was viewed as too harsh. (Besides, it would have taken far too long for everyone to zero on Election Day.) So, the choice of rifle, caliber, sights, ammo, and accoutrement was left to the "Potential Voter" (the "PV").
The other main area for debate was whether or not to require a minimum caliber. While all were agreed that only centerfire rifle cartridges could be used, many wanted to see .243 as the minimum caliber — which would have effectively eliminated all .223 carbines, such as the AR15, etc. "A .223 gives only 750 foot pounds of energy at 300 yards!" was the cry. This was not "real" rifle-like power, they argued, as the .308 gave over 1600fpe.
Moderation prevailed when it was mentioned that most ladies, and many men, just would not (or could not) afford and/or train with a .308 battle rifle. Besides, 4MOA with an AR15 meant head-shot accuracy at 100yds while delivering over 1100fpe — certainly useful performance. The entire point of a rifle is to accurately deliver incapacitating energy at a distance, and within its parameters the .223 was effective (especially with a 64gr. softpoint bullet). Better to keep as many Wyomingans involved and proficient in riflery, rather than try to create some elite force of "he-men" wielding .308 battle rifles. Moreover, the "he-men" would stick to their .308s regardless if .223s were permitted, so why alienate those who favored the .223?
So, a democratic and egalitarian spirit prevailed: Bring any rifle chambered for a centerfire rifle cartridge (i.e., at least 1200fpe of muzzle energy, and thus not a pistol cartridge such as the .30 Carbine, 9mm, .45ACP, etc.), and you'd be allowed to compete for your tax credit.
A major problem with the 300yd requirement quickly became obvious: there were insufficient long-distance shooting ranges. Even if Wyoming had enough rifle ranges to handle the demand, the verification of 300yd targets required downrange personnel or televised targets, all of which was simply too expensive. An M1A rifleman offered an ingenious solution from a company that kept supplied him in parts and targets, Fred's (in Buffalo).
Before moving to Wyoming, Fred had been heavily involved in one of the most battle rifle oriented shooting ranges of the country, the Riverside Gun Club in Ramseur, North Carolina. Realizing that a nation's liberty was ultimately protected by the quality of its riflemen, the RGC ran a unique match every month in which dozens of riflemen competed in very challenging and realistic drills.
What was not shot at distance on steel was shot at 25yds on paper. The RGC used 2.25" and 1.5" wide silhouettes which approximated 20" targets at 200 and 300yds. (Remember, it's an MOA thing. Shooting within 1" at 25yds equaled 4" at 100yds or 12" at 300yds — meaning 4MOA.) Granted, such work at 25yds couldn't train one for doping range, declination, and wind, but it was a fine way for training target acquisition, sight picture, and trigger work, thus getting a shooter 90% of the way there to becoming a Rifleman.
The paper 25yd targets were also the answer to Wyoming's needs. Each paper contained five B-27 silhouette targets at an apparent distance of 300yds. Shooters downloaded practice targets from the state website.
Constructing dozens of 25yd ranges across Wyoming was infinitely easier than long-distance ranges. In fact, a 25yd range could be had on private property, as long as it was certified by the county clerk and operated by a judge of election. All he needed was a laser rangefinder, PACT timer, and centerline opter to measure questionable hits. Each target paper was backed with a carbonless copy, which acted as the receipt. The top paper was the official target to be scored and certified, and the yellow paper behind was kept by the rifleman.
It was agreed that five hits on five targets was preferable to five hits on only one target, for two reasons: Five separate targets would test a rifleman's target acquisition, and it would also eliminate any argument over whether or not a single target group contained four vs. five shots.
The battle rifle folks had demanded two hits per target (thus ten shots total for the paper) be the standard, but such would have required those shooting lever and bolt guns to reload. It was decided to keep the contest purely at the accuracy level, however, it was conceded that as riflery skill increased, contests in the future could possibly incorporate other factors such as reloading and even malfunction clearing. It was better to start simply.
Each of the five targets required one hit apiece, all within 60 seconds. This time would be reduced in successive election years by 5 seconds, bottoming out at 45 seconds by the year 2022.
Any shooting position was allowed, including prone, but the line began in the standing position with rifles shouldered in Low Ready. While remaining standing was the fastest way to shoot, it was obviously the least accurate. Most riflemen favored either to sit or squat (a.k.a. "rice paddy prone"), and gladly spent the extra time it took to assume for the increased accuracy. Kneeling was not considered as stable as sitting or squatting.
A hit was recorded when the centerline of the hole touched the edge of the target. Those five shots had to be made within 60 seconds. Any rifleman making a shot after the 60 second Beep! was disqualified. If your rifle or ammo failed to fire during the contest, too bad. If you made all five hits, then you got the full $500 tax credit and a refund of the $100 entry fee.
Fail to make all five hits and Wyoming kept your$100.
Finally, you were allowed only five rounds in your rifle, and you had to bring your own rifle. No borrowing of rifles on the range was allowed.
For those too frail, old, or infirm to accurately shoot their rifles, their $100 fee would allow them to choose a minor rifleman as their proxy under the same terms. (Adults were presumed to shoot for themselves.) A youth could proxy only once per year. This would keep the elderly in the loop, plus help to train the next generation of riflemen.
New target ranges quickly opened up, and crackled with gunfire. A 4MOA group at 300yds was standard accuracy for antelope and deer, which abounded in Wyoming. Many hunters already had the skill to make grade.
Of the bolt-action riflemen, by far the preferred cartridges were: .270, .30-06, .308, .243, 7mm RM, and .280. There were also significant numbers of 7-08, 6.5x55, .260, and .25-06. These ten cartridges made up 95% of the chamberings, with the remaining 5% being 7x57, 8x57, and .257 Roberts. Occasionally you'd see something funky, such as a 6.5-06 (perhaps the ballistic ideal for a 6.5mm), or a .25-08, but that's generally as wild as the wildcat loads would get. Wyomingans were a practical people, and if you couldn't make grade with a .270 or .308, then a .30-378 Weatherby wasn't likely going to win your tax credit.
The cartridge requirement inevitably included cartridges which were clearly not a great choice at 300yds, such as the .30-30 and the .45-70, but were fairly effective out to 200yds. These were allowed under general principle, as had been the .223. Granted, nobody buying his first rifle for an election would likely choose a .30-30, but for many PVs a lever-action .30-30 was all they had. Thus, why break up a man and his rifle? One Olde D
uffer, for example, had a burnished Marlin 1895 in .45-70 which very accurately (i.e., 1MOA at 100yds) threw his handloaded 350gr Hornady JHPs.
Regarding battle rifles and carbines, while the .223 was satisfactory within 200yds, the .308 was much better suited for Wyoming's open spaces, which effectively made the excellent .308 the battle cartridge of the realm. The .223 was relegated to smaller framed shooters.
Regarding the semi-auto military pattern battle rifles, there were several viable choices.
Fred's primarily sold stocks for the M14/M1A, which Fred considered the best battle rifle ever made. He had a point. The M14, a "product-improved" M1 Garand, had positive chambering (which the AR10, FAL, and HK91, with their non-reciprocating charging handles, did not), excellent sights and whopping 27" radius, ambidextrous safety and mag release, a quickly replaceable trigger group, and buttstock storage which contained a cleaning rod (vital to tap out a stuck bullet or case). Semi-auto versions of the M14, called the M1A, had been manufactured by the Springfield Armory since the 1980s and were generally regarded as very fine rifles. (Many M14 riflemen preferred a forged receiver gun custom built by Ron Smith of Smith Enterprises in Guernsey, formerly of Tempe, Arizona.)
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