Nonprofit: Eastwood film sheds light on plight of the sniper

HENDERSON, NV (FOX5) -

In its first weekend, director Clint Eastwood's American Sniper has earned a record-setting $105 million at the box office.

A nonprofit group devoted to aiding military snipers is pleased the film is bringing attention to the difficult situations faced by many of the sharpshooters.

American Snipers was created 13 years ago by a small group of police snipers who wished to help their military counterparts. They raise money for snipers who in some instances have to pay for their own equipment and have it shipped to them by their families.

"There was certain gear that they didn't have when they were being issued certain types of weapons. We can get them things like laser rangefinders so they can figure out their distance," David Agata with American Snipers said.

American Sniper recounts the story of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL who proclaimed to be the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.

"The time it takes to train, the time it takes to shoot, the minimal strength you have to have to do your job and still maintain your family - most people don't have to deal with that," Brian Sain with American Snipers said.

Sain said snipers get a bad rap, many people considering them cold-blooded killers.

"If someone was holding a knife to your throat or your child's throat, you need someone with the mental stability to make a lawful, legal decision to use deadly force to stop that person from hurting an innocent," he said.

"It's easy for certain voices to speak out and criticize, but until you've walked in someone's shoes who's there to protect you, you can say what you want," Agata said.

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Nonprofit: Eastwood film sheds light on plight of the sniper