The Jackson Purchase Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. was organized in 1981, under the name Tri-State Gun Club for the purpose of providing an organization and a facility for the rifle and pistol shooting sports in the Paducah area. Kenneth Mabry was elected the first president and served two years.

Under his administration, the club consulted with the National Rifle Association about organization, range requirements, etc.  On February 11,1982, the club applied to the NRA to be affiliated as the Tri-State Rifle and Pistol Club, and was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky on March 25, 1982.

 Several locations were used before moving to the current site.  J.T. Carneal allowed the club to use a gravel pit between Cairo Road and Ogden Landing Road, but it was subject to vandalism of target frames.  The TVA – Pistol Range below Kentucky Lake Dam was designed for PPC pistol shooting only and was too far from Paducah for most members.

 In late 1982, Lynn McCutchen spoke to the Club about his plan to establish a shooter's supply business in Paducah and stated that his father, Fred, might lease property to a serious shooting club.  Lynn was elected as the 1983 Club President.  Fred leased the club 18 acres off of Cairo Road, Paducah, and agreed to defer rent payment until the Club became financially sound.

Club dues were $10.00 per year. Lynn proposed that 10 members pay five years dues in advance in order to finance the construction of a backstop for a rifle range.  The proposal was agreed upon and the work was completed in the summer of 1983.  In September, 1983, five concrete shooting benches were poured making possible the first Club match; a rimfire bench rest match.  Several impromptu, rapid fire, fun-type pistol matches were also held on the rifle range during the fall of that year.

That same year, NRA asked the club to change its name as so many clubs were named Tri-State.  The articles of incorporation were amended on October 3, 1983, to reflect the change of the name to Jackson Purchase Rifle and Pistol Club.

The Pistol Range was built in 1984. A target turning system was fabricated and installed.  Both Conventional Outdoor Pistol (Bullseye or 2700) and the Practical Pistol Competition (PPC) matches have been held since that time.

In March 1984, a NRA high power rifle match was held. The 100 round (80 + 20 sighters) permitted each of the participants to apply to the DCM to purchase a surplus M-1 rifle.  That year the club meeting place was moved to the Concord Volunteer Fire Department meeting room.

The current bylaws were developed in 1987 and approved January 20,1988. Officers, elected for one year terms, are as follows:
President
Vice President:
    First Vice President - Range Operations and Executive Officer
    Second Vice President - Membership
    Third Vice President - Facilities and Support
    Fourth Vice President - Administrative Services
    Fifth Vice President - Junior Membership
    Secretary
    Treasurer

In the early 90's Range #2  (The Police Range) was constructed for police training and qualifications.  It is reserved for their use Monday through Friday.  The club uses this range on weekends to host Combat Pistol, Bowling Pin, and Cowboy Action Matches.

The Club received the NRA Presidents Award annually from 1986 through 1991.  In 1989, it received the NRA Outstanding Club Award.  The Junior Club received the NRA Outstanding Junior Club Award in 1996; the first year that award was presented

The match schedule of the Club has grown to include: High Power Rifle, Vintage High Power Rifle, Small Bore Rifle, Rimfire Pistol Silhouette (IHMSA), Action (Combat) Pistol, Bowling Pin Pistol, Falling Plates Pistol, PPC, Conventional Outdoor Pistol, and annual charity match.  Other matches in other shooting disciplines maybe scheduled at membership request.

Junior Club History

The Junior Club for members 10 through 20 years of age was organized in 1984. Small bore rifle practice sessions for the Juniors were held each Saturday morning during the shooting season.  Recently, the sessions have moved to Monday.

In 1985 the West Kentucky Rifle and Pistol Club, Hopkinsville, dissolved and gave its residual treasury to the Junior club.  The Paducah Fraternal Order of Police Lodge made a sizable contribution to the Junior Club that year as well.  The VFW Post #1911, has in recent years, made financial contributions to the junior Club. A portion of the CCDW fees are donated to the Junior Club.

The NRA Outstanding Junior Award was won in 1996, the initial year the award was made by NRA to a junior club.