The International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) was established to promote, maintain, improve and advance the sport of IPSC shooting, to safeguard its principles and to regulate its conduct worldwide in order to cultivate the safe, recreational use of firearms by persons of good character.

The art of shooting can be traced back as far as the middle ages but it wasn't until the 19th century that shooting really developed into a sport.

In the 200 years since, shooters have come together in a variety of organizations, at the local, national, and world levels, to practice, perfect, and perpetuate the shooting sports.

Competitive IPSC-style shooting developed in southern California in the late 1950's and quickly spread throughout the shooting world to Australia, Central and South America, Europe, and Southern Africa.

As the sport attracted greater interest, the participants sought a more structured competition environment. As a result, in May of 1976, the International Pistol Conference was held in Columbia, Missouri where sportsmen from around the world participated in determining the structure, organization, and future of IPSC marksmanship. A constitution was established and the Confederation was born.

Accuracy, power, and speed were recognized as the quintessential elements and have become the foundation of IPSC shooting. The Latin motto Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas (DVC) meaning accuracy, power, and speed was introduced to reflect these balanced elements. Range procedures and rules for competitions, as well as safe gun handling standards, were also adopted.

At the conclusion of the Columbia conference, the International Practical Shooting Confederation was officially formed. Colonel Jeff Cooper, who acted as chairman of the conference, was elected the first IPSC world president.

Under the direction of the IPSC president, the organization has established more than ninety active Regions (countries) around the world from Argentina to Zimbabwe. Since 1975, sixteen (Level V) World Championships have been held and a much greater number of (Level IV) Continental Championships.