The marksmen once had the task of supporting the town authorities “in warding off all kinds of external dangers”. They devoted themselves to shooting exercises approved by the authorities “for the purpose of defense”. That’s what it was called back then. Today, most historical shooting fraternities practise air rifle competition, which is shot both freehand and with a gun in the air.
There are over a dozen shooting fraternities in and around Jülich. However, the tradition does not only belong in the villages, but also in the city center. There are still two active brotherhoods here.
