Major Jim Land Wins Taurus 2011 Defender of Freedom Award

"Marine Jim Land, distinguished rifle and pistol marksman, has spent his entire life upholding the constitutional rights we have to be free, to bear arms and to call ourselves Americans," said Bob Morrison, President and CEO of Taurus International. "In the service, and in his private life, he has served as a model for strong leadership, sense of duty and protector of our freedoms. Sharing his exceptional skills as a shooter he has trained so many of our armed forces to shoot straight both at the range and in life. His bravery and his resolve have helped to defend our constitution and to preserve our way of life." Secretary of the National Rifle Association Jim Land is an NRA Benefactor member and has served the association in many capacities including five years as director of the Membership Division. He also managed NRA's grass-roots activities as director of Field Services and served as an NRA field representative. An avid shooter and competitor, Land has won distinguished badges in both rifle and pistol marksmanship and has set seven national shooting records in competition. During his 24-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Land served as captain of the USMC Pistol Team, Officer-in-Charge of the First Marine Division of Scout-Snipers and USMC marksmanship coordinator. An NRA-certified referee and instructor in six disciplines, Land is internationally recognized as an authority on firearms and training. Certified as an NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor, he has supervised weapons training programs for several major federal agencies, and has planned and implemented security protection for ranking U.S. government officials. Land has earned numerous awards and honors including the Legion of Merit for service at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam, and the Governor Award from both Kentucky and Nebraska, A charter member of the Capitol Hill Marines, Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association and the Marine Executive Association, Land is also a life member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. A graduate of George Washington University with a concentration in political science, Land has also completed numerous programs of study in international affairs, military justice, corporate management and communications. For more than a decade Taurus International has awarded the Defender of Freedom Award to an NRA member who has staunchly defended the Second Amendment and freedom to keep and bear arms. Past recipients include Dave Butz, Chris Cox, Sandra Froman, Joe Graham, Mark Keefe, Wayne LaPierre, Ted Nugent and John Zent.