Marietta 19 year-old making a name for himself as a pistol sharpshooter

The Marietta Times is reporting that a young man in that Ohio city is becoming a man of high standing in the world of competition pistol shooting.

Click 'Read More' for the story.

From the story:

Since beginning his career in International Defensive Pistol Association shooting Burton has claimed 25 master championships and four first master places.

An impressive resume to be sure, but Burton has done much more with his defensive shooting than win contests.

He’s trained at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Quantico, Va., and with members of the Hostage Rescue Team, of which there are currently only 72 certified agents.

He’s spent time under the tutelage of FBI agent Scott Warren, former Sistersville Chief of Police Rob Haught and Ken Hackathorn, who are three of the premier shooting instructors in the world.

All that training led to Burton’s first IDPA national championship last month when he topped more than 350 shooters in the Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP) master category.

“I’ve been waiting to do that for four years. It’s what I’ve been wanting ever since I started,” Burton said.

To prepare for his championship competition Burton told the Times he spent eight to 10 hours a day shooting his Springfield Armory 1911 9mm pistol as well as lifting weights and adhering to a strict diet.

“It’s basically a full-time job to prepare for nationals,” Burton is quoted as saying.

Again, from the story:

The realism involved in IDPA shooting is one of the reasons Burton enjoys the sport and one of the motivations behind his father, Bill Burton, buying him his first gun at the age of 15.

While Burton had spent time playing soccer, basketball and baseball in his youth his father said it was a different experience for his son holding that pistol the first time.

“He was different with a gun than other people,” Bill Burton said.

Each year Burton competes in a variety of competitions all across the United States. This year he’s competed in 12 sanctioned tournaments from Texas to West Virginia. He also competes locally out at the Fort Harmar Rifle Club off Ohio 26.

In the years since his dad bought his first gun shooting a pistol has become a real passion for Burton, who still loves the adrenaline rush that comes with a successful competition.

“I really love it,” Burton said.

Judging by this story, in addition to the ongoing National Collegiate Student Empty Holster Protest at college campuses across the country, the future of the fight to protect our self-defense rights looks very bright indeed.