Every night on the news – guns dominate the news: from persons shot with guns to those caught with them. On Saturday we were at an event all about guns, but no one got harmed in anyway. It’s the BDF’s annual pistol shooting competition – and we found out how properly used weapons can make for great recreational sport:…
The BDF pistol competition, for the past almost 20 years, it’s been a test of true marksmanship for the armed forces, security firms and this year, even the US Marines:
Major Ben Steiner - US Marines
"So really it was an opportunity for us to come out and partake in some of your guys training events and obviously a pretty big deal as far as national competitions. So we're really pleased to be able to come out here and shoot alongside the Belizeans."
"Honestly, there's a lot of good shooters out here and I don't expect to win by any stretch; so a lot of the gentlemen here are doing very very well, so I'm very impressed."
Disndale Thompson who usually shoots with the police is one of the best – he shot with Anchor Security today:
Dinsdale Thompson - Anchor Security Team
"We expect to do the best and we expect to win again like that of last year and the year before we did won as well. So we expect to do a three peat which is today as well."
And this kind of marksmanship is a studied art and practice:
Selwyn Gillett - King's Park Pistol and Rifle Club
"Shooting at a competition automatically puts you at an edge, it makes you nervous, hands get sweaty and...you tend...it simulates live fire and you must learn to keep your cool, concentrate on your game plan and carry out your game plan as planned."
Dinsdale Thompson - Anchor Security Team
"Well there are certain principles that we need to follow when shooting a handgun or a pistol. And the principles are one you need to have a good stance; two, your aim; three pulling of trigger; and also too breath control. Those things you always need to observe while shooting."
Major Ben Steiner - US Marines
"Well the most important thing really is just to visualise your shots, and just like anything else that you do, whether it's playing basketball or soccer, or whatever, if you visualise making that goal or scoring that point you do a lot better."
The participants also have to show competence and comfort with their weapons – assembling and disassembling it under the clock:
Major Ben Steiner - US Marines
"A solider has to treat his tools and his weapons with respect and care; so as soldiers and marines we’re thought from the very beginning to value that tool almost more than our self-worth. So we do whatever we can to make sure that weapon is clean, functional, working properly and also that we know where it is at, at all times and we’re able to properly utilise it."
And that’s why every shooter has his preferred weapon with which he has an intimate trusting relationship:
Selwyn Gillett - King's Park Pistol and Rifle Club
"I like the glock because it's a weapon that is very little moving parts. It's easy to take down and clean and maintain and it's very durable and you could put maybe ten thousand rounds through this weapon and it won't malfunction. Very, very….it's you know, very reliable."
D. Alford - Warrant Officer Class II - BDF Team
"The Beretta pistol? The only difference with this and the glock is that this is a much heavier weapon, the clock is much lighter."
But today they played for points on the board and the trophies there was no playing with the guns, strictest safety standards are observed at these competitions:
Selwyn Gillett - King's Park Pistol and Rifle Club
"Having a firearm is definitely a big responsibility. And at the same time, it's not a toy. And whoever gets the opportunity to get a license should be well trained to handle and learn the rules and the laws pertaining to firearm in Belize."
At the end of the day the Anchor security team won first place.
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