Fast Draw as we know it today began in California in the early 1950's. Dee Woolem, a stuntman at the Knott's Berry Farm amusement park, decided to see how proficient he could become with the single action Colt revolver he used in his train robberies. He first tried to drop a silver dollar off the top of his gunhand, then draw and fire before the dollar hit the ground. Dee was using the thumb-cocking method, and was able to beat the dollar with a week or so of practice. With improved holster designs and draw styles, Dee was shooting two and three shots before the dollar hit the ground.

Shooting with the rifle, pistol and shotgun has been practiced in many countries since the Middle Ages. During the 19th Century, however, shooting also developed into a sport: Associations, federations, councils, confederations, unions or organizations were formed in some countries, using different words to describe the alliance of shooters in clubs or the alliance of clubs in local, regional or national organizations.

This new and exciting style of sport shooting had its origins in California in the early '50s. It quickly spread over the next few years to other continents including Europe, Australia, Central and South America, and Africa.
Rob Leatham, World Shoot Caracas Venezuela 1988.
The International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) was officially founded at the International Pistol Conference held in Columbia, Missouri, in May 1976. Forty people from around the world were invited to attend this conference in order to determine the nature and future of practical marksmanship. Colonel Jeff Cooper was acting Chairman and acclaimed as the first IPSC World President.

National Skeet Shooting Association
Founded in the early 1930s and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the National Skeet Shooting Association is a non-profit organization owned and operated by its members. With nearly 20,000 members, it is the largest organization in the world dedicated solely to the sport of skeet shooting. Membership is represented by a Board of Directors and an Executive Committee which employs an Executive Director to manage NSSA affairs.

The NSSA is dedicated to the development of the sport at all levels of participation and vows to create an atmosphere of healthy competition and meaningful fellowship within its membership. Shooters who want to compete can enter fun shoots and skeet shooting tournaments. The NSSA also offers the hunter a recreational target shooting sport that will strengthen hunting and gun safety skills and extend "hunting" seasons.