10-4 on hoplophobia. Obviously you've read Jeff Cooper's writings. As Col. Cooper points out these liberal anti-gunners don't understand weapons and don't want anyone having power they don't have and are afraid of.
Per gun schools, the good ones require background information and a sign-off from a responsible reference as part of the application process.
And what's wrong with "civilians" having "sniper" training anyway? A well-trained civilian can become a counter-sniper in situations like what happened in the DC area or elsewhere. Don't be telling me I can't get training that helps me survive in a dangerous situation or take the fight to the bad guys.
Not a whole lot of difference between the skills involved in precision rifle shooting (HP, benchrest) plus hunting (stalking, using cover) and sniping. Their protestations to the contrary, the hoplophobes will be going after hunting and competitive shooting once they've closed down the "sniper" schools.