Editor's Note: The Herald interviewed Rebecca Jones following her 2008 United States Practical Shooting Association title. The following is a reprint of the interview that originally ran in December 17, 2008.

When Rebecca Jones won the United States Practical Shooting Association's Open Division National Title in September, she wasn't even entered in the top flight to begin the competition.

“Typically, they'll group the top shooters together, said Jones, a 2000 Fuqua School graduate who began shooting with her father over ten years ago. “I was kind of in the background just doing my own thing and nobody knew up until the end how it would turn out, so a lot of people were surprised.”

She even managed to surprise herself.

“I knew that I had improved and have been shooting well all year, but I didn't realize how much I had improved,” said Jones. “I actually had a couple of falters – a few gun malfunctions that I thought would put me out, so, yeah, I was surprised.”

Perhaps she shouldn't have been that surprised. After all, by the time she claimed the National title, Jones had already won the Virginia/Maryland Sectional Championship – as both the Open Ladies Champion and the Class A winner – and the USPSA Area 8 (Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia) title.

Practical shooting is not a well-known discipline. It's logistics make it hard to be a spectator sport, but for Jones who works for the Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District as its Environmental Education Coordinator, its something that she finds highly enjoyable, and it helps her get that much more time outside.

“I'm an outdoorsey kind of girl. Anything that will allow me to be outside more than the normal job, I like. Shooting sports is a great way for me to stay outside.

Jones started shooting with her father when she was 14 years old. After graduating from Mary Washington, she got back into the discipline with her boyfriend, Todd Jarrett, who, himself is a National and World Champion.

Unfortunately for Jones, the lack of sponsorship dollars in the sport hinders most shooters from participating full time.

“I'd love to be able to make a career out of it, but there are really only a handful of people who can do that, “said Jones. “You don't have the sponsorship money tied to the shooting that a sport like golf does.

“It just doesn't get the media coverage that other sports do. I don't foresee being able to do this for a living, but I do want to be able to do it on the side, and perhaps get just enough sponsor money that I'll be able to continue to do it.”

If she chooses to continue, she will have a long career ahead of her. The best shooters are generally 20 years older than she is.

“It's not the young kids you may expect. It doesn't have to be something like tennis. All ages, men, women, kids can learn and be competitive.”

Jones feels that Olympic support, like what's given to rifles and shotguns, would expand the sport.

“They were talking about making the discipline an Olympic sport, but I don't see that happening.”

She admits that handguns don't usually have a good reputation, but Jones looks at someone's apprehension about handguns as a means to educate.

“I stress that shooting sports can be very family friendly, and it's something that we need to preserve. Guns can be put to other uses, and sports are a great way to use them.”

When what she does in her spare time comes up in conversation, she usually has some explaining to do. Especially in her chosen field. As an Environmental Education Coordinator, it's safe to say she has plenty of opportunities to educate.

“I do get [some offhand comments] because of the field of work I'm in.

“I've gotten to know a lot of people who normally would not like guns, and once they get to know me, I think they look at it a little differently.

“They may say that they might not like to shoot, but they see someone who is doing it safely, and in a sport that promotes safe handling of a gun. They also see someone who may not fit their preconceived notions, and that can help change their minds a little.”

But the major point Jones would like to emphasize is that she feels practical shooting sports is something that can be fun for everyone.

“Some girls are not going to be interested in it, but I think it's a great way for families to bond – no matter if you have a girl or a boy. Start off with a .22, which has absolutely no recoil, and go from there.

“I learned early on the safety aspects and how to handle firearms. As long as you're doing things safely, this is a sport that's friendly to women and juniors. Early on, I learned the safety aspects of this sport and as long as you're doing it safely, this sport can be a lot of fun.”