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.