COLUMBIA CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL COMBAT PISTOL CONFERENCE
May 24—29, 1976
Columbia, Missouri
To: All delegates to the Columbia Conference
All persons and groups interested in the promulgation of practical pistol shooting throughout the world
From: Jeff Cooper, Chairman of the Conference
Date: July, 1976
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Columbia Conference was to bring together people who represent the viewpoint of the practical shooter in all parts of the free world, so that some sort of organization and direction could be given to the sport of practical pistol shooting. The previously established organizations which support shooting competition have not shown interest in marksmanship which can be called practical. International target shooting, such as organized by the I.S.U. and the N.R.A., has become an uninteresting exercise for the person who wishes to use his pistol in a serviceable manner. Organized target shooting, as now recognized both in civilian and police circles throughout the world, has failed to satisfy the needs of those persons who wish to use a handgun in a serious manner. On the other hand, there are enthusiastic shooters everywhere who wish to perfect their skills with the sidearm and who wish to compete against each other with weapons which make sense to them in a manner which seems realistic. Such people cannot find satisfaction in competition as it is currently organized, and therefore, wish to form their own organization.
Practical pistol competition started In Southern California in the late 50’s, and has now spread as far as Australia, Central America, Europe, and Southern Africa. We feel that it is time that we organized ourselves into a practical competition program. This was the purpose, of the Columbia International Combat Pistol Conference.
Plans for the Columbia Conference were laid in the summer of 1975. All interested groups that we knew of were contacted and invited to attend. Membership was held to 40, for reasons of manageability. By April of 1976 – subscription was filled. We realize that not everyone came who should have, and we also realize that some came who should not. However, we did gather a strong representation from all interested parties throughout the free world and we felt justified in taking steps to begin our organization, remembering that the interested parties could vary, change, increase or decrease with the coming years. We do not assure overweening authority in this matter, and are willing to take advice from competent people. However, we did make a beginning and we hope that people who are genuinely interested in a sport will take it from here. …
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