The Fastest Gun Alive World Championship is underway, in Fallon, as part of the Wild West Festival.
People of all ages are competing, with more than $40,000 up for grabs. Participants are dressed in 1880s attire, including holsters that carry their six-shooters.
"We can never truly step back in time but we can cherry-pick the best things from those times," 'Quick' Cal Eilrich, Cowboy Fast Draw Association Director said.
More than 400 people are participating in this year's event, including the top 200 gunslingers in the world.
"It's the most fun you can have with the lights on," Eilrich said.
Todd 'Oregon Ranger' Von Feldt won the championship when he was just 14 years old. Three years later, the Portland resident is going for another title.
"It's a lot of fun," Von Feldt said. "Something different. I mean, walking around with a gun is not something you do every day. It's a lot of fun."
The shooters can hit their targets in less than a half-second. While speed is important, so is accuracy. Fallon has been the home of this sport for seven years. People of all ages compete by firing wax bullets at the target.
"We range from 8 years old to 80 years old in most of our competitions," Stormie 'Weather' Schweizer said. "So, it's a very family-oriented sport."
Many stay busy by cleaning their pistols, when they are between contests. While competing, it's about safety, fun and competition. The event is open to the public, with tickets priced from $3-$5.
"You actually get to try your hand at fast draw as part of your admission," Eilrich said. "We give you some instruction, strap a holster on you and a gun, and you get to try it for yourself."
There's a whole slate of events scheduled throughout the weekend including performances by the Nevada Gunslingers and Civil War re-enactors. The event runs through Sunday, with the Final scheduled for high noon.
