LABOR DAY, 2022 The traditional end of summer is upon us. The summer monsoons have blessed the Gunsite Ranch in the high desert and foliage is unusually green. There are more caterpillars than we recall ever seeing (Just waiting for the large moths they turn into) and the tarantulas are beginning their mating season. What are we missing? More Gunsite Family! If you have not enrolled in the Gunsite Alumni Shoot (GAS Match) on October 1, while it is not officially closed, it will be within days. We increased the competitors to 250 this year. (We are gearing up for a huge number in … [Read more...]
August Gunsite Newsletter
The Dog Days of Summer How did it become August 5 already? Didn’t we just celebrate Memorial Day and Independence Day? Now Labor Day is around the corner. It has been a bit warm here at the Gunsite Ranch the last month, but that did not deter any training. We continue at a record pace, looking at beating last year’s record numbers. With pandemic in our rear-view mirror (There is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rear-view mirror), our firearms industry partners are returning to Gunsite for events. We have had Mossberg, Timney Triggers, Ruger, Glock and many more allowing … [Read more...]
Gunsite July Newsletter
INDEPENDENCE DAY We are soon to celebrate our day of Independence. You know, the celebration because our citizens were armed! Jeff Cooper said: “As we prepare to honor our nation’s independence, and the birth of freedom which it brought to the world, let us bear firmly in mind, now and forever, that “The Statute of Liberty” is the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.” We had a significant victory with the US Supreme Court as to our gun rights. Gunsite family, friend and correspondent Jim Shepherd commented: “At the risk of alienating the six or seven friends … [Read more...]
Early Fall Newsletter
Whew . . . Where did August go and how is it the 8th of September already? So much has happened and is happening in our world. “Be on the Alert, Stand firm in the Faith, Act like Men, Be Strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 With that said, it is clear why Gunsite is seeing an exponential amount of new gun owners in our 250/223/260 courses. More and more people are recognizing the state of the world and know they are the First Responder for themselves and their families. As some of you know, Mike Moore (Gunsmith and Gunsite Rangemaster) was tragically killed in a traffic accident near … [Read more...]
April Newsletter
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." Napoleon Bonaparte April Fool is upon us. Yes, I just listened to President Biden again, this time discussing more of his record number of Executive Orders. His directives that continue to erode our rights have now come to our unalienable Second Amendment rights. We can only hope that his actions, his in-actions, and his on-going mishaps and blunders when trying to speak will awaken the lions and cause rumbles among the sheep. As you continue to experience the changes in our lives caused by the actions of the parties in … [Read more...]
Gunsite March Newsletter
March comes in like a lamb at Gunsite. Sunny and 55 degrees this afternoon for the Shotgun 260 and Seasoned Citizen 250 classes. This is some of the best time of the year as it starts our very cool but warms to the 50’s and 60’s. (Usually!) Classes are at a near record pace at Gunsite for 2021. Those that postponed training a year ago when the Covid 19 issues began are back at it along with our fair share of the 7M plus new gun owners getting training. If you are one of the new owners, come see us at Gunsite (or at one of our off-site locations) and get proper training before you … [Read more...]
Gunsite’s February Newsletter
Spring is not far! Coming from the Midwest when February usually meant very cold temperatures, snowy and cloudy days, it is a great pleasure to be in the high desert of northern Arizona. While we have snow (Ask the attendants of the “Artic Carbine 223 Class” a couple of weeks ago), it usually melts a day or so later and we are back to impossibly blue skies and marshmallow clouds and temperatures in the 50’s. So, why aren’t you at Gunsite taking a class? As with summer, do not fear the weather. If it does get inclement, it becomes more of an adventure and greater memory. Classes at … [Read more...]
Gunsite Christmas Newsletter
Christmas greetings to our Gunsite Family around the World. “On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer, feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we experience it in our hearts. For more than just a day, Christmas is a state of mind. It is found throughout the year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers despair, and love triumphs over hate. It is present when men of any creed bring love and understanding to the hearts of their fellow man. The feeling is seen in the wondrous faces of children and in the hopeful eyes of the aged. It overflows the hearts of … [Read more...]
September Newsletter
"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." ~Benjamin Franklin September has arrived in the high desert of the Gunsite Ranch. The classes are back to pre-pandemic numbers. Some classes have increased, possibly because of the pandemic and the on-going violence in some of the Republic. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” — Isaiah 9:2 So many have now “seen the light” and recognize they are responsible for their own safety and security. The government … [Read more...]
Gunsite August Newsletter
The Dog Days of Summer July has been a hot one and Gunsite finished July like a firecracker! Turmoil continues across the Republic. Gun sales (if you can find them and ammunition) are at record levels. Have you made this an opportunity to help your family, friends, and neighbors? More and more liberals are recognizing that they just might appreciate the Second Amendment after all. Do not let this be a divisive moment with these folks. Help train them, especially with the Four (4) Safety Rules. (Steer them to Gunsite!) Let this be an opportunity to help them continue to support or … [Read more...]
July Newsletter
Pandemic, Riots, Political Correctness in the Breakfast Food Aisle, Wild-Fires, looting of businesses, gun stores have little inventory, Blue Flue… When do the locusts arrive? If you have not seriously considered (or revised) your individual, home and family emergency plans, as my late friend Pat Rogers and Gunsite Rangemaster would say: “That’s a clue.” The world as we knew it has again changed and not for the better. It is time to seriously review with yourself, family, (and if receptive) your workplace your emergency plans. Do you and your family know what to do if the riots engulf … [Read more...]
May Gunsite Newsletter
The Go Wash Your Hands Again Issue Greeting from the Gunsite Ranch. My typing fingers are near raw from all the hand sanitizer and soap and water we now call “normal.” If UV light (sunlight) kills the virus, we are executioners here at Gunsite. Spring was wet and cool, but the last week or so has been sunny and in the upper 70’s and 80’s in the high desert. Phoenix is even warmer. As an essential service in Arizona, we continue to sanitize and disinfect, practice social distancing, take every staff, client and visitors’ temperatures so we can continue with classes. Class sizes … [Read more...]
Gunsite April Newsletter
The Pandemic Issue Gunsite family: We hope this finds you all safe and sound at your place of work, home or shelter. It is a beautiful Spring day at the Ranch and Gunsite continues to teach good people how to stay alive. The 223, 250 and Pistol Tutorial are marching onward. The two (2) Day Pistol Range Day is on schedule for this weekend. The recommendations from medical providers have been monitored and followed here for several weeks. While we have always had a clean facility, our efforts are redoubled to clean and disinfect. As to the recent stay home directive from the … [Read more...]
March 2020 Newsletter
Spring has sprung at Gunsite. The weather is warming up, the sun is shining, and great training is underway on the ranges. As I write this, we are grateful that our students and staff at Royal Range in Nashville TN are unhurt from last night’s tornado. Coming from tornado alley, I understand the great damage tornadoes cause. Royal Range had some leaks, but their staff was in early making sure our 250 Pistol Course continued. Our thoughts and prayers are with the citizens and emergency responders as they work to help the injured and repair damages. This is “Super Tuesday.” We are … [Read more...]
February Newsletter
Happiness is a romantic walk to the Range! Grab a cup of coffee as this one is a bit long. Below find something I wrote in about 2013 during my prior career. While the murderous event noted is dated, the material discussed is not. More and more jurisdictions throughout the Republic are awakening to the fact that the socialists continue to try to overthrow our Nation and way of life. As a result, many are now using the socialists own verbiage against them as to their “Sanctuary” communities. I don’t mention “sanctuary” in my posting, but my conclusion is similar. "The entire … [Read more...]
End of 2019 Newsletter
The New Year is upon us! Time to sing Auld Lang Syne and ring in the new year. Hard to believe it is the next decade. Wasn’t it just a year or two ago that we were worried about the millennium? Have you set reasonable resolutions for 2020? Not lose weight or something else we probably won’t follow through on. How about getting that training you keep telling yourself you will do? The church shooting this weekend is a prime example. You saved and purchased that pistol, good holster, magazine pouch and belt and carry it. But have you received proper training and on-going practice? … [Read more...]
December Newsletter
It seems like the 2019 GAS Match was just last week, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas is rapidly approaching. While there is strife in Congress as the liberals continue to attack our Constitution and way of life, we are blessed and there is much to be thankful for. One of my favorite most recent quotes is from friend and Gunsite family member Hunter Lee Elliott: “I have my weapon of choice but will not yield in it's absence but improvise, adapt, and overcome. It is the fury I mean to deliver.” We shall continue the good fight by contacting our elected representatives and … [Read more...]
November Newsletter
Where did October go? It seems like it was yesterday that we had 220 or so participants at the Gunsite Alumni Shoot! What a great day that was. Approximately 70,000 rounds fired safely downrange as we expressed our freedoms and exercised one of our inalienable rights. We already have near 50 enrolled for GAS 2020. During GAS, we also celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Buz and Sonja Mills saving Gunsite. The positive changes made these last twenty years are amazing. There are multiple new ranges, untold new classes, new buildings and simulators and the road is paved. We … [Read more...]
September Gunsite Newsletter
Congress is back in session. Have you called your Congressional Representatives and United States Senators yet? Have you sent them polite and professional emails and letters explaining your stance on the Constitution, Bill or Rights and the Second Amendment? Have you sent the same to the President of the United States? About 145 or so “business leaders” have sent their letter. We outnumber them and our influence should be greater. But not if you don’t reach out. It is your responsibility to do so. As to those businesses, it wouldn’t hurt to let them know your feelings and how … [Read more...]
August Newsletter
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day... — 2 Timothy 4:7-8 This was the Bible verse automatically emailed to me on Sunday morning July 28, 2019. Little did I know that our remaining founder, Janelle Cooper, would pass surrounded by her family that evening. Our week was filled with sadness, tears, happiness, rejoicing, stories, and more. While we are greatly saddened by the loss of Mrs. Cooper, we know she is in a better … [Read more...]
July Newsletter
INDEPENDENCE DAY! On July 2, 1776, Congress votes unanimously for independence. “Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” Ben Franklin As my friend Dave Workman said: “We have a Constitutional Republic. Some have said that it is the worst form of government there is, except for all the others. I’m inclined to agree with that.” “The Constitution belongs to the people and not the people to the Constitution.” Theodore Roosevelt Independence Day is upon us. Remember that we celebrate our independence on July 4. The holiday is Independence Day. You need to think of all … [Read more...]
June Newsletter
The summer weather has finally arrived at Gunsite. We have had a wonderfully cool and damp Spring, but the heat is on now. June is a great month at Gunsite. The mornings are still a bit cool but quickly warm up. The Summer monsoon rains are not upon us yet, so the days are full of training time. Father’s Day is this Sunday. Peruse the newsletter and see the items Susan and Shari have put on sale for Dad! New items include the return of the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife and the new Zippo Lighter with the retro Gunsite logo. We are hosting the 3rd annual Stephanie Calams Scholarship … [Read more...]
May Newsletter
There is so much to cover this month, from political implications to NRA to Gunsite courses. Where to begin? Buz and I attended the NRA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. Disregarding all the drama of the meeting and the internal conflicts that the NRA Board of Directors need to resolve soonest, it was a grand meeting. Over 81,000 attending and mostly armed. Indianapolis had zero shootings during that time. Who is surprised? It is so much fun to have Gunsite family come up to us and visit and re-live some of their Gunsite adventures. It is also a treat to see all the Raven hats, … [Read more...]
March Newsletter
Weather! February certainly went out like a lion and March came in with the residual snow. We had about 17” of snow for the 270 Rifle class the end of February and it made the 260 class the following week interesting in the deep snow and then the sloppy conditions. (We do appreciate the moisture and we weathered through it all.) As I said to the classes, you remember the days you trained hard in adversity much more than the easy days. The leftists and socialists continue attacks against our way of life, the Constitution and Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment. As I sat in … [Read more...]
Gunsite Newsletter – Valentine’s Day Edition
Valentine’s Day greeting to the Gunsite Family. The sun is shining brightly on this cool winter day at the Gunsite Ranch. Another 250 Pistol Course is underway, bringing more good people into the Gunsite family. The 250 Pistol course is often the favorite of the Gunsite Staff as we see the great improvements and we see the students recognize the “Gunsite Epiphany.” In past newsletters, we have discussed not letting our guard down. We don’t mean only out on the street, but politically. The Democrats are feeling their power and again attempting to strip away our unalienable … [Read more...]
January Newsletter
And the Attacks Resume! The New Year rings in with the renewed, strengthened attacks on our unalienable rights. No surprise to those of us who support our Constitution and way of life. What have you done to support the Bill of Rights? Sitting at your keyboard typing away on social media is just a beginning and not enough. Take time to write/contact your Senators and Congressional Representatives at the Federal level. While we hold the Senate, they need to know we expect them to stand strong. Let them know you watch their voting record and will vote accordingly. Join the … [Read more...]
December Gunsite Newsletter
Give your loved one something they can't buy at the corner mall. Click here to visit the Gunsite ProShop. How can it be the December Newsletter time already? It seems we just celebrated Independence Day and then the Gunsite Alumni Shoot. But the cooler Fall weather is here, with Winter to follow. We continue to be busy at Gunsite. So many think we are as cold as Flagstaff in December, January and February. That is just not the case. (Just as we are not as hot as Phoenix in the summer!) The US Navy is back this week for pistol and later this month for Long Range Rifle. The 250 … [Read more...]
November Newsletter
October was a grand month at the Gunsite Ranch. Classes of all types were not deterred by the unusual rains. (We are grateful for the moisture.) Rather, they now know that they can fight in the rain and not just when it is sunny and 70 degrees. Another mass murder has occurred in the Republic, in a house of worship. The liberals are again blaming the tool as opposed to the operator. You must understand, YOU ARE THE FIRST RESPONDER. PLAN ACCORDINGLY. Gun free zones are easy targets for the miscreants. Do not go unarmed. Wear your carry pistol. Carry reloads. Think about an … [Read more...]
October Newsletter
Gunsite Alumni Shoot 2018 is in the books! Once again, a great “social engagement slightly interrupted by gunfire.” About 80,000 rounds safely fired down range with over 200 shooters and multiple guests. (We also had the USMC fly over early Friday morning. They did a brief show in their Russian look-alike jets. (The Aggressor Squadron.) The pilots (one a Gunsite graduate) joined us for the steak dinner in the campground later that evening. The GAS Match is so much more than just a shooting event. It truly is a family reunion where friends, family and Gunsite family get … [Read more...]
September Newsletter
The Rainy Season! Gunsite and much of Arizona was blessed with a wonderful rainy season. The landscape went from brown tinder to a growing green with near daily rains. The fortune continued as the rains often fell at times that did not disturb classes. Some were so heavy that we lost three (3) culverts in the Donga. Fire is not as great a risk and campers in the Gunsite campground can cook over that open fire or charcoal again! September has us roaring back with multiple courses. Labor Day Week has a double 250 Pistol, the ever-popular Battle Rifle, the 1911 Armorer Course, … [Read more...]
Gunsite August Newsletter
The Rainy Season! The blessed rains have finally arrived in the high desert. We aren’t shy to say that things were worrisome during the drought. Fire watch was a priority for all hands and we were successful. A campground just isn’t the same without a campfire or charcoal cooked burgers and steaks. The pop-up afternoon thunderstorms washed out the Donga culverts again, but our great maintenance staff can handle that. Classes weren’t interrupted too much with the rains either. The “green” is a welcome sight. The long-awaited 2019 calendars are in hand! They will be mailed in early … [Read more...]
July Newsletter
Independence Day! So many grand things happening in the Republic and at Gunsite. Our new sign on the front gate says it all: Please excuse our noise. It's the sound of LIBERTY. President Theodore Roosevelt spoke on July 4, 1903 of the greatness of America, despite the divisiveness of the Civil War. He recognized the great American spirit, our beliefs in God and Country, and how we must continue the good fight. “…It is a good thing, on the Fourth of July and on all other occasions of national thanksgiving, for us to come together, and we have the right to express our pride in what … [Read more...]
January Newsletter
January is the beginning of the doldrums of winter for many parts of the Republic, looking forward to grey skies, snow and cold weather. Not so at the Gunsite Ranch. At Gunsite, we know it is the beginning of the training year. The weather in the high desert is not as cold as Flagstaff (nor is it as warm as Phoenix!), but it is good training weather. We may get a bit of cold or some rain or snow, but the sun will be out the next day melting and drying and warming into the 40’s and 50’s. If you are in need of a “sun fix,” another good reason to come to Gunsite. SHOT Show is near … [Read more...]
September News Letter
LABOR DAY! The official end of summer and the beginning of Fall is upon us. Tomatoes are ripening, sweet corn is ready and the rattlesnakes are out in force. Gunsite has a near full 250 Pistol Class, a Battle Rifle and a Pistol Tutorial underway this Labor Day morning. As the great basketball coach Bobby Knight said: “most people have the will to win. Few have the will to prepare.” (Yes, I’m an Indiana University graduate!). Those with the will to prepare are spending their Labor Day Monday (and the rest of the week) at Gunsite. Our thoughts are with many today. Certainly our … [Read more...]
March 2017 Newsletter
March Roars In Like A Lion! While the weather at the Gunsite Ranch is beautiful today ushering in the month of March, it also is roaring in like a lion and we hope it continues throughout the year! With the March schedule, it will also go out like a lion. Nothing roars quite like the Scattergun in a defensive situation and that’s what is happening on Shot Quad, York and in the Simulators today. We complete TD3 of a 260 Shotgun class today with several good citizens, staff from the US Geologic Survey in Alaska and Airmen from the USAF. Training continues through Friday. A Gunsite 160 … [Read more...]
February Newsletter
February . . . In some of the Republic, the depth of winter, grey skies, snow that no longer is “fun” and pristine white. Col. Cooper chose wisely when he selected this area for “The American Pistol Institute.” (Now Gunsite Academy.) In the high desert of Arizona at the Gunsite Ranch, we are well into the beginning of the new year training season. Our first 250 Pistol Course a week or so ago was a challenge with rain, wind, snow, warm temperatures and back to snow. But in typical Gunsite Family fashion, the students stepped up and performed well. They especially enjoyed the visit with … [Read more...]
Christmas Newsletter
“This is the Christmas that a war-weary world has prayed for through long and awful years. . . . We meet in the spirit of the first Christmas, when the midnight choir sang the hymn of joy: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Harry Truman, December 24, 1945 “Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” Winston Churchill Christmas greetings from the Gunsite Ranch and the Gunsite Family. Our family has much to reflect and rejoice about. The Republic has survived another tumultuous year intact. We … [Read more...]
November Newsletter
Election Day is upon us. If you are a gun owner, it is incumbent upon you to Vote! It is incumbent upon you to find like-minded gun owners and have them vote. We recognize that some of our gun owners favorite candidate did not make the ballot. Regardless of that, lack of a vote is as good as a vote for Hillary Clinton and the Democrats. If for no other reason, understand the fate of the Supreme Court is at stake in this election. The next President may appoint as many as three (3) Supreme Court Justices. If liberals are appointed, many of the proper Pro Constitution decisions and … [Read more...]
October News Letter
The first sign of Fall in the High Desert is upon us . . . . The Gunsite Alumni Shoot! Saturday October 1 was a record day for Gunsite and the Gunsite Family. Not only was it the celebration of our 40th Anniversary, but also a record crowd of Gunsite Family Members celebrating our inalienable rights. Over 230 shooters and other friends and family descended on the Gunsite Ranch beginning Friday afternoon for Registration and then the Knucklehead Steak fry. Early Saturday morning shooters arrived and we began with the welcome at 0730 (“Welcome back to Gunsite you deplorables!”) and we … [Read more...]
Gunsite Alumni Shoot News
After months of planning and hours of meetings, Gunsite’s 40th Anniversary Celebration is upon us. A tremendous amount of effort is being expended to make this GAS a huge success. October 1st’s GAS will be the biggest Gunsite Alumni Shoot EVER. We anticipate 250 participants (plus family) instructors, staff and our great volunteers. We look forward to our annual “Family Reunion.” Latecomers: Sorry, but GAS has been sold out for months! We’ll have a HUGE crowd of shooters for our 40th Anniversary GAS. As always, parking will be restricted to the campground beginning on Friday … [Read more...]
September Newsletter
After months of planning and hours of meetings, Gunsite’s 40th Anniversary Celebration is upon us. October 1 (Four weeks from Saturday!) will be the biggest Gunsite Alumni Shoot (GAS Match) in our history. We anticipate 250 participants plus family plus instructors, staff and our great volunteers. (We have been sold out for months!) We look forward to our annual “Family Reunion.” This September we offer the new Emergency medical Preparedness Course, a 260 Shotgun, 250 Pistol, 350 pistol, a Kimber media event, a CCW Shoot, 223 & 556 Carbine, private tutorials, AND an off-site … [Read more...]
August Newsletter
Dog Days of Summer! It has been warm at Gunsite this month and the wonderful Summer Monsoons are finally arriving. Fortunately, the lesson plans of The Modern Technique allow us flexibility to work around the warm temperatures and the sudden rains. (Remember that you can usually subtract 15-20 degrees from the Phoenix temperatures.) And yes we know it is hot like an oven, but coming from the mid-west humidity, it isn’t hot like a crock pot! August begins with your first 150 Pistol Course at The Firearms Academy of Seattle as well as a 150 Pistol in the Nashville TN area. Later in … [Read more...]
July Newsletter
Independence Day – So many think of July 4 as the holiday as opposed to it being Independence Day. But, history is no longer taught as many of us learned it, on our stone tablets, after we rode our dinosaurs to and from school, uphill, both ways. Independence Day is recognized as the day the Colonies declared their independence from the British Monarchy, risking all. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to … [Read more...]
June Newsletter
We are near half through 2016 and there is so much happening in the Gunsite world it is challenging to know where to begin. As we continue to prepare for the 40th Anniversary celebration, Panteao Productions was here for seven (7) days filming a special DVD. They interviewed “seasoned staff members” Ed Stock and Jerry McCown and others. We also spent the afternoon at the Sconce with Mrs. Cooper. Her interview was the highlight of the filming day. The DVD should be available in September. Another pleasure has been the watching of hours and hours of old VHS recordings of various … [Read more...]
Gunsite 250 goes to Wichita Kansas
Announcement! We are very proud to announce that Thunderbird Firearms Academy has been selected to be the Central States Satellite for Gunsite Academy! We will be offering the 250 Handgun class later this fall! We are excited to be part of the Gunsite family and help continue their legacy. Please share this post to help spread the word that Gunsite training is coming to Kansas! … [Read more...]
May Gunsite Newsletter
Last Friday I posted on our Social Media (You do follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram don’t you?) that one of the great pleasures of my job at Gunsite is taking the recent 250 Course Graduates to visit Mrs. Cooper at the Sconce for her legendary tea, lemonade (Arnold Palmers) and brownies. It is wonderful to see her brighten up as she greets each new Gunsite Family Member, welcoming them to her home and listen as she explains Gunsite history, the design of the Sconce and a tour of her home, including Col. Cooper’s library and Armory. If you have not had the pleasure, it is just … [Read more...]
February Newsletter
Winter in the High Desert Our first 250 Pistol Class for 2016 as we begin Gunsite’s 40th Year is complete! It seems so appropriate that this group was all NEW to Gunsite. During their greeting on Monday morning I said: “You’ll be back!” True to that, more than one has enrolled for their next Gunsite experience. Gunsite is always a fun and exciting place to visit and train, but even more during this year as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, Plan the grand celebration during the Gunsite Alumni Shoot on October 1, and begin our many new classes. We also have the new 250 Pistol classes … [Read more...]
January Newsletter
The new year is well upon us and Spring must be around the corner. We know this because we are about to make the trek to the Shooting, Hunting Outdoor Show (SHOT SHOW) in las Vegas. The Gunsite staff walks miles and miles of the aisles to meet with vendors of our various product lines, meet media to schedule their events at Gunsite, and of course meeting with Gunsite family members. We hope to see some of you there. The Citizen Response to Active Shooter course in the spring is full and the Fall class nears full. Thus, we have added another in the late Spring. It is disheartening to … [Read more...]
The Evolution of Shooting
Gunsite Academy, in conjunction with Bix Pros, offers an unprecedented opportunity at the world’s leading firearms training academy. As Gunsite has been the leader in firearms training, we continue to do so by hosting an opportunity previously unavailable anywhere. For more information or to sign up for this week long event go to GUNSITE40.COM … [Read more...]
A Thanksgiving Mindset
With Thanksgiving upon us, many Gunsite family members will be travelling throughout the Republic for family festivities. We recognize the state of the world and the threats by our enemies to strike the homeland. As a result, we try to travel prepared. (Read: Armed!) We also need to remember that your Mental Awareness is something you can always improve upon. (Recall your Mindset Lecture and the Color Code. If not, time to re-read Principles of Personal Defense.) It would be incumbent upon you to review the laws of where you are travelling (and those states you transit through) to … [Read more...]
October Newsletter
Fall is well upon us in the High Desert at Gunsite. We know that because the mornings are wonderfully cool, the days are bright, the sunsets are beautiful and we have completed another Gunsite Alumni Shoot (GAS)! What a great week it was preceding GAS: The “Knuckleheads” (An affectionate term for a raucous group of Gunsite alumni, some with 30 classes under their belts.) taking a special designed class for them were here for Pistol and Shotgun (heavily laden with simulators); a Long Range Rifle Tutorial for a great group of Hoosiers; and a 250 and 350 pistol class all helped us warm up … [Read more...]
September Newsletter
This was copied from a social media site I follow attributed to a fellow Sheriff in Illinois. It claims that it is in the Sheriff’s handwriting and is posted on the door so all his staff members can see as they come and go from the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff: Well said sir and please pardon me for sharing it with all. However, it is wise, sage and sound advice; not only for those brothers and sisters in public safety, but for all good Americans. We have lost too many of our brave law enforcement Officers in the Republic. It seems that miscreants in our society have publicly declared … [Read more...]
August Newsletter
July has come and gone . . . . . Many of the young Americans are already headed back to school. Where did the summer go? We know where two (2) weeks of the summer went: Our two (2) Youth 250 “Summer Camp” courses were grand events! Having these young Americans here was outstanding. At Gunsite, Summer continues with the (recently updated) Team Tactics for Two, Defensive Three Gun, 250 Pistol, several media events, the Tennessee Close Quarters Pistol and Tutorials. Whew . . . . While the Gunsite Instructors and Staff are teaching these courses, their devious minds are also putting the … [Read more...]
July Newsletter
So many good sources come to mind to consider for an Independence Day Newsletter: Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan and more. But with pondering, it came to me that my best consideration of topic and source was here at Gunsite last week. As the United States celebrates our 239th birthday, honoring life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, what should we look to as a source of excitement and hope for the future? Does it come from the writings and wisdom of our founding fathers, from review of our Constitution, from reading Teddy Roosevelt? That answer was on the Gunsite … [Read more...]
June Newsletter
As we tell the students on Monday morning as their Gunsite class begins, “blink and it will be Friday.” That seems to be what has happened here in May. We blinked and Mother’s Day, Jeff Cooper’s Birthday, The Yavapai Friends of the NRA Banquet, Armed Forces Day, John Wayne’s birthday and Memorial Day has passed us by. Not to mention 250 and 350 pistol classes, 223 Carbine, Edged Weapons, Close Quarters Pistol, Defensive 3 Gun, Defensive Vehicle Tactics, many tutorials and several media events happened. Whew . . . . . We start all over again in June with 250, 350 and 499 pistol, 223 … [Read more...]
May Newsletter
Garland Texas . . . . . Are you ready when the fight comes to your community? It appears that Garland Texas was exercising their God given rights to express themselves when alleged Jihadists “took offense” and appeared with rifles and other weapons and equipment to stop the exercise of Constitutional Rights. Fortunately, Garland was prepared and took the fight to the miscreants. While an unarmed security guard was injured, a police officer returned fire with his pistol and stopped the thugs in their tracks. The best art displayed at this art event was the chalk outline of the evil-doers … [Read more...]
May Newsletter
Garland Texas . . . . . Are you ready when the fight comes to your community? It appears that Garland Texas was exercising their God given rights to express themselves when alleged Jihadists “took offense” and appeared with rifles and other weapons and equipment to stop the exercise of Constitutional Rights. Fortunately, Garland was prepared and took the fight to the miscreants. While an unarmed security guard was injured, a police officer returned fire with his pistol and stopped the thugs in their tracks. The best art displayed at this art event was the chalk outline of the … [Read more...]
April Newsletter
Spring has finally arrived throughout the Republic. While the winter at the Gunsite Ranch was wet, it was mild. March was very warm. The weather beginning of April is perfect. The sun block is in full use on the ranges. Spring at Gunsite means more classes as many find Spring Break can be best spent learning a life-saving skill. Have you begun to consider your Spring Break for 2016 yet? Consider taking the monies spent on beaches and adult beverages and think of the high desert and a life changing and life-saving epiphany at Gunsite. Memories can be made with your young adults that … [Read more...]
March Newsletter
Spring seems to be slow in arrival in much of the Republic. It has been a beautiful February in the High Desert at Gunsite. We have had Basic Pistol (250), Shotgun (260), Shotgun Advanced Tactical Problems (SATP), and General Rifle (270) classes so far, with much more to come. When is your next trip to Gunsite? Are you planning your summer yet? We believe we offer a family opportunity that is unmatched anywhere: Our 250 Basic Pistol for young Americans alongside a 250 Pistol class for adults! Have you been looking for the Summer Camp your “Teen” will love and learn life long and … [Read more...]
Gunsite or Gunsight? – The Rest of the Story
Why is it Gunsite and not Gunsight? This question comes up from time-to-time. While we thought we knew the answer, the best source was just down the drive, living in The Sconce . . . . . . Janelle Cooper was happy to confirm what was suspected. As Lt. Col. Cooper was a well educated man (Bachelor of Science, 1941, Stanford and Masters in History from University of Southern California, Riverside), words and grammar meant things to him. (Not to mention Mrs. Cooper’s degree in Letters (Literature) from Stanford in 1942.) Simply put, Gunsite is a location, not a thing. That is, a gun … [Read more...]
