So how??

[miles71]

How does a person go about becoming acompetitive shooter? I am in Maryland, land of gun laws that stop any shooter in thier tracks!!

Also, how would you become a tester for new pistols, would be quite a cool job.
TD

 

[RV4driver]

What kind of competition? There's Bullseye Pistol, Action pistol, NRA Highpower Rifle, Silhouette rifle and pistol, Trap/Skeet/Sporting Clays, etc. etc. etc.
These all have many adherents all over the country, even Maryland! Google each and you will find more info than you can read.
Personally, I have enjoyed Bullseye pistol and NRA Highpower Rifle, and am now addicted to Trap shooting. It's all good.

Jeff

 

[OKFC05]

A good club with sanctioned competition is the place to start. When I lived in MD, I was in Montgomery County, N of DC, while Harford County is north of Annapolis if I remember. I don't know a specific club to recommend in your area.

NRA competition is strong in MD:
NRA Competitions

There are even IDPA matches in MD:
International Defensive Pistol Association - Affiliated Club State and Country List

There are NRA pistol classes to learn pistol shooting:
NRA Education and Training

 

[tenntucker]

Put in your zip code and see what pops up.

United States Practical Shooting Association

 

[valkyriekl]

I live in Northern VA. As much as I malign Maryland and its gun laws, I'll admit that I've shot more Bullseye matches in MD than in VA. MD's got a lot of older, well-established gun clubs like Monocacy, 12th Precinct, and Ann Arundel, not to mention the Izaak Walton chapters (specifically the Rockville one). There's a club in the Eastern Shore near Salisbury...I don't know its name, but I've ridden by it on my bicycle while on the Seagull Century and they were shooting clays (trap and skeet).

Plenty of places to get involved in.