The 1996 National Matches, coinciding with the NRA's 125th anniversary, marked a pivotal year with significant administrative restructuring of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). An act of Congress, the National Defense Authorization Act for 1996, eliminated the government's direct affiliation with the program. Signed by President William J. Clinton on February 10, Public Law 104-106 established the "Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety" (CPRPFS) as a private, non-profit entity. This new corporation assumed CMP administration from the Department of the Army on October 1, 1996, operating under a self-governing board initially appointed by the Secretary of the Army. The Act also abolished the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice (NBPRP), existing since 1903. Provisions authorized firearm and ammunition transfers, ensured logistical support via the National Guard and Army Reserve, and empowered the Corporation to levy fees. Gil Gilchrist, then Director of NRA Competitions, emphasized the NRA's crucial role in the Matches' continued survival.
Beyond the administrative shifts, the competitive landscape saw three new champions emerge in the four NRA National Championships. Marine Sgt. Brian Zins secured his first national pistol title, posting a final score of 2661-158X. Zins' win, achieved after switching to his .45 auto from a Hammerli 208 following an early .22 deficit, represented the highest score recorded since 1969. His performance was noted as a "presage for future National Match programs." In team pistol, Henderson, Greene, Reiter, and Young claimed the new Coming Through the Rye Trophy. Ruby Fox continued her dominance, sweeping all three aggregate titles for the third consecutive year and earning her 13th women’s national title, becoming only the third woman selected for the Mayleigh Cup team. On the National Trophy Pistol Matches side, Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson won the President’s Match, and All-Guard Blue claimed the team event.
In smallbore three-position, Army Capt. Web Wright, III, secured his first national championship amidst challenging conditions at Camp Perry, where shifting winds impacted iron sight scores. Civilian Ken Benyo, known for his kneeling expertise, won the metallic sight championship with 1097-36X, narrowly topping Wright. Wright later earned the Frank Parsons Trophy and the service championship. Emily Caruso won the women’s championship, and Shane Barnhart claimed the junior title.
The smallbore prone matches saw Web Wright, III, deliver a 400-35X in the iron sight Dewar. However, Tom Tamas ultimately swept all 1996 smallbore aggregates, winning his second consecutive National Prone Championship with a total of 6395-525X after a strong performance in the any sight stage. Barnhart finished second overall, taking civilian and junior prone titles. Edie Reynolds earned her second consecutive Remington Trophy for the women’s championship.
