Mr. Simmons.

by the National Rifle Association. These men have all participated in national match competitions in the National Rifle Association.

Mr. Mccloy.

Is that a higher grade than sharpshooter in the Army?

Mr. Simmons.

There is really no comparison between the rating of master in the NRA and the rating of sharpshooter in the Army.

Mr. Eisenberg.

I am not sure whether or not you answered this question, but do you feel that if the target was moving, rather than having the rifle man move, there would have been a difference in aiming error, increased or decreased aiming error--if the target was moving 5 to 10 miles an hour?

Mr. Simmons.

I think the movement of the target in this case would have practically no effect on the accuracy of fire, because from the map we are led to believe that the movement was primarily away from the firer, so that the back of the President was fully exposed to the rifleman at all times.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Could you explain your reference to a map? You have made several references to that.

Mr. Simmons.

I refer to the survey plat which is dated December 5, 1963.

Mr. Eisenberg.

And how were you supplied with that?

Mr. Simmons.

To the best of my knowledge, you gave it to one of the employees in my office.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Mr. Chairman, this is a plat made by a licensed surveyor of the area immediately adjoining the Texas School Book Depository. I would like to introduce it into evidence solely to show the basis which Mr. Simmons was using in his test, and not for the truth, of the measurements which are shown in here.

Mr. Mccloy.

It may be received.

Mr. Eisenberg.

That would be Commission 585.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 585 and received in evidence.)

Mr. Eisenberg.

I have no further questions.

Mr. Mccloy.

I have no further questions.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Is there anything you would like to add to your testimony?

Mr. Simmons.

I think not.

Mr. Eisenberg.

I wonder whether we could have a copy of your table?

Mr. Simmons.

Yes.

Mr. Mccloy.

From your experience, Mr. Simmons, do you feel that with a man who had been in the Marine Corps, with the rifle instruction he had there, using this rifle, and what you know of the shots that killed the President--do you think he was an extraordinarily good shot, do you think he was just shooting in accordance with what might be taken to be the skill that service in the Marine Corps would give him?

Mr. Simmons.

Well, in order to achieve three hits, it would not be required that a man be an exceptional shot. A proficient man with this weapon, yes. But I think with the opportunity to use the weapon and to get familiar with it, we could probably have the results reproduced by more than one firer.

Mr. Mccloy.

I think that is all.

Mr. Eisenberg.

One thing, Mr. Chairman. May I have this admitted as 586, this table which Mr. Simmons prepared, from which he was giving testimony earlier? This is "Table I, Hit Probability as a Function of Range and Aiming Error."

Mr. Mccloy.

It may be admitted.
(The table referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 586 and received in evidence.)

Mr. Eisenberg.

When you say proficiency with this weapon, Mr. Simmons, could you go into detail as to what you mean--do you mean accuracy with this weapon, or familiarity with the weapon?

Mr. Simmons.

I mean familiarity basically with two things. One is the action of the bolt itself, and the force required to open it; and two, the action of the trigger, which is a two-stage trigger.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Can familiarity with the trigger and with the bolt be acquired in dry practice?

Mr. Simmons.

Familiarity with the bolt can, probably as well as during live firing. But familiarity with the trigger would best be achieved with some firing.