Winnemucca native Gianni Giordano went to the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) nationals in Frostproof, Fla., recently and brought home his second consecutive title in the junior division.
“Gianni has been competing since he was nine," said Shannon Giordano on her son’s recent success. "One of our friends in law enforcement is a national revolver champion. He thought that we would really like these competitions and encouraged us to check them out. Our first competition was in Winnemucca; it was a man on man steel course, and Gianni had never shot a pistol before, he had always shot rifles. He has been shooting since he was really little, as we have a farm and he was always around long guns. Gianni was hooked after his first competition, and so we took him to the MGM shooting camp the next year. He finished third in his first nationals in the Junior Division at age 12.”
Gianni won the Junior National title the next year at age 13 and duplicated that feat the following year also.
He is currently ranked in the top 25 in the nation for all ages in the Junior Division.
“I have been shooting since I was three years old," Gianni Giordano said. "I compete because it is a challenge. Everyone should realize that guns are just a tool. They are no different than a car, plane, knife, or even a cell phone. The key is to understand the tool, learn to be proficient with that tool, and in turn respect what that tool can do. Knowledge brings proficiency, which turns into respect. Respect for yourself and the tool, a gun in this case, and the respect for others around you. Knowledge and respect are the key.”
Gianni will go to St. George, Utah next for the Multi Gun National competition on April 3-7, 2019.
“Gianni has been educated about gun safety, and he is comfortable around firearms,” Shannon said. “With that comfort and education comes a respect for what they can do and what they can not do.”
Gianni has numerous sponsors at his young age, including EMG Customs, Berry’s Bullets, Mark 7 Reloading, MGM Targets, Hawktech Arms, and Hodgdon Powder.
They provide him with the bullets, powder, guns and other tools needed to keep competing; his parents pay for the travel expenses to take him to the competitions.
“My favorite part of these events is the people that I shoot with, they are like friends now,” Gianni said.
The USPSA allows any age competitor to compete as long as they can demonstrate gun safety, that they can clear jams and handle their weapon when things go wrong. They have two safety range officers assist and supervise every contestant. One watches the firearm itself, and the other supervises the area around the competitor.
“I enjoy flying drones also; I do a lot of the real estate pictures for businesses around town," Gianni said. "I would like to do wind turbine inspections for the big energy companies in the future. I have another small business where I do metal artwork. I have done some jobs for the hospital and I have some stuff down Bridge Street.”
For more information about upcoming events go to shootinguspsa.org.
They have a website that posts all the results and information about upcoming events and comment there that “The USPSA remains committed to the continued growth of the Nationals as quality, fun, safe events that define excellence for all shooting sports.”
