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Gunfire crackles and brass bullet casings blanket the ground as members of law enforcement agencies fire at perpetrators - silhouette paper figures with targets on their chests.

About 320 law enforcement officers participated in the National Rifle Association's 45th annual National Police Shooting Championships, held this week at Shooting Range Park on the West Side.

The competition, which drew about 300 men and 20 women, is not only about honing skills, but building camaraderie, said Phillip Hemphill, this year's national champion.

Hemphill, who has won nine shooting competitions over 22 years, said he looks forward to seeing buddies.

"You get to rekindle old friendships," he said.

Hemphill said although it's a competition, he tries to help his friends and offer tips.

"I explain to them what works for me," he said. "There are not great secrets in this. It's basic fundamentals."

Law enforcement officers from federal, state, municipal and private agencies competed in this year's tournament.

The categories of competition ranged from high master (advanced) to classified (least experienced), using various types of pistol. Thursday was the team competition.

NRA board member Dwight Van Horn said it is important for officers to enter the competition.

"It's an expansion of training," he said. "The more time an officer has to spend with his gun, the better off he is and the better off citizens are."

He also said the camaraderie with others in law enforcement is what draws people to the competition.

"There's a lot of networking that goes on here," between firearms instructors, detectives and police officers, he said.

"They develop contacts that give them advice and might help them solve the case," Van Horn said.

This year's competition drew a small group of U.S. Border Patrol agents from Artesia and one or two officers from Albuquerque.

The rest of the competitors come from the United States, Germany, Trinidad, Venezuela, Canada and the Czech Republic.

Van Horn said Albuquerque was chosen for the competition because of its weather.

"Look above you," he said. "It's a gorgeous day."

The competition was moved from Jackson, Miss., because of concern about potential hurricanes.

Anna Bailey, who won the women's competition Monday, said this is her first time competing nationally.

"I like meeting all these people out here and getting new ideas about shooting," she said. "There's a lot of good people out here."

However, even though camaraderie is important, the event is still a competition, Hemphill said.

"It puts you under some stress," he said. "Once you incorporate that stress, you try to stay with your game plan."

Hemphill's strategy is simple: "to outshoot everybody else."