Civilian Marksmanship Program

The CMP is a federally chartered 501(c)(3) corporation that places a priority on serving youth through gun safety and marksmanship activities that encourage personal growth and build life skills.

[2] Any U.S. citizen not otherwise legally prohibited from owning a firearm may purchase a military surplus rifle from the CMP, provided they are a member of a CMP-affiliated club.

Title XVI of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (Public Law 104-106, 10 February 1996) created the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice & Firearms Safety (CPRPFS) to replace the NBPRP.

[4] The CPRPFS is a tax-exempt non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation chartered by the U.S. Congress, but is not an agency of the U.S. government (Title 36, United States Code, Section 40701 et seq.).

The organization actively supports, sponsors, and hosts various rifle and pistol competitions nationwide, such as the National Matches at Camp Perry.

In March 2006, during the JROTC National Championships, the CMP used Competition Tracker, in conjunction with Sius Ascor electronic targets, to provide real-time results on the web.

The following is a list of marksmanship competition badges authorized for wear on U.S. military service uniforms based on points earned at CMP competitions: The CMP originated as part of the U.S. Congress 2 March 1903 War Department Appropriations Act for the purpose of providing civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills, should they later be called on to serve in the U.S. military.