COLUMBUS -- Sharp shooters and novices took aim at targets set up across the field at Clark Memorial Range of the Columbus Rifle Club.
They were taking part in the first annual Nebraska 5.11 Challenge hosted by the Columbus Practical Shooters.
The challenge was a nationwide event created by 5.11 Tactical and was for law enforcement officers. The officers would compete in shooting skill competitions for prizes.
Bill Suiter, vice president of the Columbus Rifle Club, said the challenge is no longer being held nationally, but he wanted to hold something similar to it in Columbus.
Recently, he hosted the first Nebraska 5.11 Challenge. The event was open to not only law enforcement officers, but military persons as well as civilians.
More than 20 people participated, the majority of them non-law enforcement people, like Lee Rottman. The Columbus man is a minister and said he has been involved in the sport of shooting most of his life. He had just gotten done with the shotgun portion of the competition and to follow was a handgun and rifle round.
In the Nebraska 5.11 Challenge, participants shoot at paper and steel targets during two stages of pistol, one stage of tactical rifle, one stage of precision long range rifle and two stages of shotgun.
Like the original 5.11 Challenge, the participants at the Columbus range were timed to see how long it took them to shoot the targets on the course. Suiter said most completed the course in under four minutes and shot off an average of 115 rounds.
All those taking part in the Nebraska 5.11 Challenge were competing for merchandise and prizes.
Though this was the first year for the challenge here, Suiter said several other competitions are held throughout the year at the shooting range.
Shooting, Suiter said, is a sport that attracts a variety of people of all ages.
Husband and wife Dennis and Lisa Kirchhoff of Avoca were among those who came to Columbus for the 5.11 Challenge. Both said they have been involved in shooting for more than 30 years. What they enjoy most is the competition and challenging themselves.
“It’s an adrenaline rush. It’s exciting that you get to use something that is really powerful,” Lisa Kirchhoff said.
Suiter said people have misconceptions about those who participate in the sport of shooting.
“Most people that participate in the sport are not going to be your typical beer-drinking buddies,” he said.
In reality, Suiter said those to do enjoy the sport like it because they create a good circle of friends. And the events, like the Nebraska 5.11 Challenge, prove to be “competitive without being threatening” no matter what the person’s skill level.
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