You don't have to call them. You can print out the forms (including the form checklist) from their website and mail them in.
One of the forms has to be notarized. Most banks will notarize (officially witness your signature) for free.
You have to belong to an organization. I belong to my State Rifle and Pistol org., which counts, but I also joined the Garand Collectors Association. The GCA will inform the CMP of your membership
if you check off the appropriate box on the GCA application. This makes it very convenient when filling out the CMP form: where it asks for club membership, you can write "GCA- see database" and the CMP can confirm your eligibility by computer.
The markmanship/ shooting activity is totally seperate.
It's really dead simple . ..go shoot a service rifle match (CMP Qualifying) .
You no longer have to do this.
It used to be, in the days of the old DCM, you had to actually compete in an organized match to qualify. It is MUCH simpler now. You do NOT, repeat, do NOT have to compete in an organized match.
Basically, they just want some documentation that you're a Gun Person, and that you have some basic familiarity with guns.
They have a list of qualifying activities, such as being active (or former) military, having a concealed weapons permit, or even holding a Curio and Relics FFL. But a very easy and convenient way to qualify is at the bottom of the list, and it's what I did:
- Certification from range or club official or law enforcement officer witnessing shooting activity. A form for use in completing and certifying your range firing can be downloaded from the CMP web site at
http://www.odcmp.com/forms/marksmanship.pdf
I printed off that form, took it to the range, and asked the Range Officer to watch me shoot, and please sign off on the form if he was satisfied with my gun handling. I put the form on a clipboard with a pen, and left it on a table behind my position. Then I just set up my targets and did some shooting like usual, and 20 minutes later the RO got my attention to show me he was signing the form. It was that simple.
Here are the forms and instructions:
http://www.odcmp.com/Forms/1orderform.pdf
There are four pages:
1-A Name and address, etc.
2-A "I am not a bad person." Ask the nice person at the bank to please notarize it for you.
3-A Order form, shipping and payment info. Choosing what to get might be the tough part. Check out the CMP forum for inside information. Note, many Service Grade Garands will have new birch replacement stocks.
4-A Checklist. Yes, they want you to include it.
And in my case, the form witnessed by the Range Officer.
It is really so damn freaking simple. So just DO IT already.
Get one of everything, and a couple thousand rounds of ammo for each.
Frankly, I believe the good people at the CMP are trying to save these fine old rifles from Captain Crunch, by distributing them among the People, where they belong. Please help them.
