As we all send our kids back to school this month, the NRA has started a free program to help protect them. ...don’t assume your kid’s school is acting responsibly to minimize the risk of a loser attempting to kill lots of innocents. Be proactive as a parent. Assess your kid’s school security plan by opening a dialogue with your local school leaders. The School Shield Program is a non-political, free effort to protect our children. They also offer a downloadable guide you print out with great questions you can ask of your school or district. Don’t assume your kid’s school is as safe as it … [Read more...]
Tactics and Preparedness
TPaug19-shotgun-gosnell Check out this article in Tactics and Preparedness Magazine this month by Lew Gosnell. … [Read more...]
New classes at Gunsite for 2020
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...]
Janelle Cooper Memorial Service Saturday September 28
A memorial service for Janelle Cooper will be held on September 28th at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Prescott. A reception will follow. All who wish to attend are welcome. Come and help us celebrate a wonderful life well-lived. In lieu of flowers, Mom would most appreciate a donation to The Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation. Jane Ellen “Janelle” (Marks) Cooper, age 99, of Paulden, AZ passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28th, 2019. She died with as much grace as she lived, surrounded by family and dear friends. Janelle was born May 31, 1920 in Los Angeles, CA to Jasper Glenn … [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...]
April Newsletter
April Fools Day! That’s what we see in much of the halls of Congress every day! But here at the Gunsite Ranch we are ringing in April 1 with 40+ students in the two (2) 250 Pistol courses, a dozen or so in the Close Quarters Pistol with Steve Tarani, about a dozen in the XLR with Cory and Walt . . . As I say, other than that we are sitting in the office shopping on Ebay. We also are continuing our capital projects with maintenance of the paved road coming to Gunsite and the roads here on the Ranch. So, if you get delayed a few minutes, please be patient and remember what the old dirt … [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...]
Gunsite Alumni Shoot 2018
Click for the Results of the 2018 Gunsite Alumni Shoot! If you did not complete all of the stages you will not be in the list of eligible shooters for a complete score. Your scores will be at the end of the score sheet and the stages you did not shoot will be highlighted in red. Please send an email to our sponsors and tell them thank you for their participation. Alexander Arms - james@alexanderarms.com Aimpoint – andrea.cerwinske@aimpoint.com Allegra Marketing, Print & Mail – info@allegraprescott.com Doubletap Ammunition - … [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...]
The Fifty Caliber Shooters Association World Championships
The 4th of July holiday proved to be a great weekend for one of our instructors Walter Wilkinson. The Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA) World Championships (50 BMG) were held at the NRA Whittington center in Raton, NM 5-7 July. There were shooters from Australia, Great Britain, Spain and the US in attendance. The FCSA 1000 yard matches have four classes; Light Gun, Heavy Gun, Unlimited and Hunter. In the first 3 classes, the rifles are normally shot from a machine rest off the bench. Hunter class requires the shooter to fire from the ground with a bipod. The match is broken down … [Read more...]
Gunsite is looking for new T’Shirt Ideas
Calams Charity Combat Match at Gunsite
Winner of the Match - Kelly Neal III with Jim Calams STEPHANIE LYNNE CALAMS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP COMBAT GUN COMPETITION was held at Gunsite Academy on June 30th, 2018. Funds raised at this match will benefit local Yavapai County scholarships. Here is a link to the pictures taken by Gary Gromer at the match: https://www.gunsite.com/photos/callam-charity-combat-match-at-gunsite/. For full match results contact gunsiteacademy@gunsite.com. Stephanie Lynne Calams graduated from Texas A&M University in 2007 and was a devoted Aggie fan. She earned her Master’s in Curriculum and … [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...]
School Board Member Thanks Gunsite
Good evening Ken, I wanted to tell you Thank You! I participated in the May 250 pistol course. I can’t express what an incredible gift this was for Gunsite to offer free tuition for school board presidents. I am truly humbled to have received it. I improved my skills so much in those five days. It was unbelievable! Joe, Mario, Jerry and Verlin did an incredible job keeping everyone safe, engaged and learning. In short this class was amazing. Please pass this along to everyone at Gunsite. You guys have got it figured out. Amazing facility! Incredible instructors! Over the top friendly … [Read more...]
May Newsletter
May has come with blessed rains at Gunsite. We are in drought conditions and the .35” of rain we received yesterday was a welcome sight. Some of the folks in Seasoned Citizen Carbine, Concealed Carry Pistol and two (2) tutorials may not have appreciated it as much though! May is a grand month in the high desert, with cool mornings and warm afternoons sprinkled with the sound of freedom (Gunfire) across the many Gunsite ranges. Two (2) 250 Pistol classes begin next week as well as additional tutorials. We also have another 250 Pistol Course at the beautiful Colonial Shooting Academy … [Read more...]
Frontsite by Mike Foley
This is a great article written for the USPSA Magazine by Mike Foley, President of USPSA. If you ever find yourself in a position to train at Gunsite, don’t hesitate to go. If you think you don’t need training like this, and carry a pistol, I urge you to go. If you think it is too basic for you, I dare you to go. Over the years, I’ve heard people say things like “they are stuck in 1976…” or “they only teach the Weaver stance…” or “that’s just a basic course…”. I can report that none of this is true. In retrospect, none of the people who said that to me have taken a class there, and I now … [Read more...]
April Newsletter
DID WE DROP OUR GUARD? March is not going out like a Lamb. With the murderous attacks by criminals of late, the liberals are on a full-scale attack of our unalienable rights. Regardless of legality, “We’ve got to do something” seems to be their mantra. Did we drop our guard after the Presidential Election thinking that all would be well? Did we (foolishly) trust those elected “Conservatives” in Congress to remember who voted them and the President into Office and their promises? Did we allow ourselves to go from Yellow or Orange to White? It is time to re-awaken the fighting … [Read more...]
March Newsletter
March is upon us and is coming in like a lion. No, the weather at Gunsite is grand, but the Republic is in an uproar. We have followed the various media outlets, conservative and liberal, mainstream and otherwise. We have followed the commentary on various social media. So much said with so little facts in much of it all. It is interesting to note that so many of the population follow what so many with little real-world life experiences have to say. What can a television or movie star or musician know of the life of those of us in “steerage.” They live in their gated communities … [Read more...]
Gunsite is Saddened and Angered by the Violence in Our Schools
Gunsite Academy Inc., the Nation’s oldest privately owned and operated civilian firearms training academy, is saddened and angered by the violence in our schools. Our mission is “. . . to provide good people with the skills by which they may conduct themselves as responsible citizens of a free Republic.” We recognize that the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. Proper training is crucial to achieve the objective of keeping our young people safe in their schools. It is crucial that we recognize that local leaders must be the impetus of changes in the safety … [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...]
Gunsite’s Battle Rifle Course by Rangemaster Walt Wilkinson
The first iteration clearly demonstrated that old eyes and iron sights just don’t get along, but other than that it was a success and it has been on our schedule every year since then. The types of rifles preferred have changed over the years. For the first few years, we saw a lot of FN FALs, HK91s and M14s. Now we see AR10 clones and the FN SCAR 17S in favor. The objective of today’s Battle Rifle class is how to fight with a .308 Win/7.62x51 caliber semi auto Battle Rifle. The Battle Rifle is defined as a rifle capable of being shot effectively in the standing position and carried … [Read more...]
Disparaging the Guru
The following article was posted by Richard Mann on his Blog 'Empty Cases'. Bashing Jeff Cooper on social media or blogs seems to be the in thing to do now days. Mostly perpetuated by millennial shooters, Granny Hawkins would file these vain attempts to get attention under www.doodlysquat.com (If you don’t know who Granny Hawkins is, you’re a millennial for sure.) This bashing runs the gamut of proclamations that the Weaver stance is outdated, that the Modern Technique of the Pistol has been superseded, and even includes declarations that anyone who reads or remotely admires Jeff Cooper is … [Read more...]
Vote Owen Buz Mills for NRA Board of Directors in 2018
I have been honored by the NRA Board of Directors Nominating Committee to stand for re-election to the NRA Board of Directors. It has been my privilege over the last few years to serve on several committees. Two of these committees are the Presidents Committee on Advancement, which provides guidance to staff on the securing of the long term fiscal viability of our association. The Industry Relations Committee was initiated to improve, enhance and promote relationships with all the companies that are involved in our endeavor. I am proud to report to you that both of these committees have … [Read more...]
October Newsletter – Post GAS
October is always a grand month at Gunsite. The Fall weather has arrived, temps are cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon. The sky is bright with stars all the way to the Milky Way. Gunsite Family, new and old, are hustling and bustling in their courses. And there is the first real sign of Fall: the Gunsite Alumni Shoot. The Gunsite Alumni Shoot is a great event. To quote our late friend, instructor and staff member Chris Dwiggens: “A social engagement slightly interrupted by gunfire.” GAS 2017 was another grand event. Over 150 shooters competed all day in the ten (10) stages … [Read more...]
Gunsite Alumni Shoot 2017
The Gunsite Alumni Shoot has come and gone and a great time was had by all. The results of the match are as follows. 2017 Over All GAS Score Sheets 2017 Masters Results 2017 Ladies GAS 2017 Junior GAS 2017 Senior Match Results The Cooper Cup was won by John Montenegro with a score of 125. … [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...]
August Newsletter
The Rainy Season - August is well upon us at the Gunsite Ranch and it is unusually green. The rain has blessed us, and punished us, both this year. A few weeks ago during our Youth 250 Pistol class, we had a monsoon rain that turned us into an island for an hour or so. We also lost two (2) six foot 6’ culverts on the Donga. Think about how much water it takes to move those! Regardless, we soldiered on, the Youth were great and class was completed. Thanks to the parents for sharing their great Americans with us for the week. Thirteen kids was the largest Youth 250 Pistol Class we have … [Read more...]
July Newsletter
"It [Independence Day] ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." -- John Adams Independence Day has come and gone for 2017. We hope the Gunsite Family celebrated with appropriate fanfare. The Monsoon rains had not yet arrived at Gunsite and most fireworks were cancelled here. The Veteran’s 250 Pistol Courses began this morning and there … [Read more...]
Team Gunsite at the King of 2 Miles Match
Team Gunsite finished 3rd out of 49 teams at the King of 2 Miles match at the NRA Whittington Center 27-29 June. With Walter Wilkinson shooting his Steyr HS-50 (50BMG) and Tessa Wyrick spotting it was a recipe for success. Tessa controlled the whole shooting session on Day two. She ran the numbers through the ballistic computer, got the come-ups, watched the wind and decided on what we would hold. She second guessed herself on the cold bore target and we missed that one, but from there on it was first round Hit City! We were the only team to get all first round hits on the scoring targets … [Read more...]
May Gunsite Newsletter
“When the flag flies” (As Col. Cooper would say), will you be ready? The old photo of a young SWAT Captain, after the successful capture of a murderer, is a grand example. A young woman was brutally beaten and left in a pond to drown. A day or so later, a tip was received as to where the miscreant was located. There was not time to get the “special teams” gathered. Rather, it was grab who you had and rely on your training and experience. We did not need to develop a plan, but modify a plan based upon those experiences and training. As a result, this murderer was captured with no injury … [Read more...]
April Gunsite Newsletter
Another Double 250 Pistol Class is underway this week at Gunsite. I tell the students, “I can’t sit in my office and listen to gunfire on the ranges without coming to visit.” And what a pleasure it is to have so many good people, recognizing their unalienable right to defend themselves and their loved ones, and seeking great training. Seeing the smiles on their faces, watching their improvement from day-to-day, helps us remember the grand work Gunsite has been doing the last forty one (41) years. If you have been considering taking a Gunsite class (or returning for a refresher or new … [Read more...]
Emergency Medical Preparedness
Emergency Medicine is an important skill to have in your tactical tool box regardless of your shooting skills.Gunsite recognized the need for this life-saving skill set and had one of our staff Doctor’s (with extensive front-line military experience) develop a three (3) day course based on “Active Shooter.” This is not a shooting course, but rather learning skills necessary to keep yourself, your loved ones, your co-workers, or a stranger alive until the help can arrive. Consider how you would feel should one of these aforementioned people were shot, injured in an IED (Boston?) or … [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...]
Scout Rifle Study
Richard Mann is a Gunsite Graduate and has been seriously studying the 'Scout Rifle Concept' for a number of years. He has developed a book that can be viewed online at the following link: Scout Rifle Study Press Release LR … [Read more...]
Full Auto for Citizens
By: Cory Trapp, Rangemaster, Gunsite Academy The National Firearms Act of 1936 and Gun Control Act of 1968 set out the definitions, rules and procedures for dealing with firearms other than Title 1 conventional rifles, shotguns and handguns. title II covers machine guns, short barreled shotguns and rifles, silencers, destructive devices and a catchall category called "Any Other Weapon" (pen guns, smooth bore pistols, disguised firearms and other oddballs). When the NFA was originally conceived, the legislators understood that they could not simply ban given categories of weapons, so … [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...]
How I See It
I'll never forget my college sociology professor, Dr. Cooper, who once said there were two kinds of bipeds (folks); homo sapiens and human beings. Human beings were also homo sapiens, but not necessarily visa versa. As Dr. Cooper explained it, a homo sapien is a product of fornication, whereas a human being is a product of a culture of love, nurturing, family ties, a religious upbringing, education and etc., a process requiring years and perhaps a lifetime of reinforcement. A true human being cares about other human beings and even about homo sapiens. After a certain age a mere homo sapien … [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 Results
Below please find the final results of the 2016 40th Anniversary Gunsite Alumni Shoot Match. The posted results are final and will not be changed. Thanks to all the attendants for their participation and we look forward to 2017. https://www.gunsite.com/galleries/gunsite-alumni-shoot-match-results/ … [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...]
Why I defend the Second Amendment and my right to own an AR-15
Yesterday I listened as a progressive spokesman asked a television anchor-person why any private person would need an “assault rifle”. Let me tell him why. However, before I proceed let me remind everyone that “Assault Rifles” are fully-automatic weapons capable of firing more than one shot with a single squeeze of the trigger. They are legal for some citizens to own, but federal law demands a NCIC background check, fingerprints, passport photos, a $200 fee and a rather long waiting time. Possession of an unlicensed automatic weapon is a felony. An AR-15 may resemble an “Assault … [Read more...]
Jeff Cooper and Gunsite Academy – 40 Years of Freedom
This article by Frank Winn writing for America's First Freedom. If you consider only the lowest-hanging fruit, there are still about six ways to come at an “Exercise Your Freedom” column about Gunsite Academy. Choosing the most proximate topic, you’d have to observe how close to the 40th anniversary of the original school of “The Modern Technique” of pistol craft we are. The first week in October will mark the actual occasion, but don’t gloss over those 40 years: No other remotely similar institution comes close to that longevity, or the pervasiveness of its influence. Photo by … [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...]
Not an Assault Weapon
Written by Gunsite instructor Lew Gosnell Eight men and women, aged from late twenties, to early seventies, follow the Gunsite command to "Make ready!" The weapon in their hands, some variant of theubiquitous semi-automatic AR-15, mostly a carbine length version, bearing a modernelectronic red dot sight, or variable power scope. Taught from the first moment in the classroom that the training will be about fighting with a firearm; weaponry manipulation, accuracy and tactics are stressed. Often erroneously called an "Assault Weapon", the classic civilian version of the military M-16, … [Read more...]
The AR-15: Americans’ Best Defense Against Terror and Crime
Published on Jun 15, 2016 After the attack at Pulse night club in Orlando, Hillary Clinton looked past the obvious enemy – radical Islamic terror – and instead said "weapons of war have no place on our streets" and that we need to ban AR-15s immediately. AR-15s are fine for Hillary and her family. They've been protected by armed guards who use them for three decades. But average Americans who watch the news and feel genuine fear for their safety, and their families’ safety—Hillary wants to deny them the level of protection she insists upon herself. Watch this video here. … [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...]
CIVILIAN COUNTER-TERROR/RESPONSE TO ACTIVE SHOOTER
During the week of May 16 through 20, we presented the second evolution of the Gunsite CIVILIAN COUNTER-TERROR/RESPONSE TO ACTIVE SHOOTER class. Eight students, all with previous Gunsite experience, attended the event. This evolution included a number of refinements decided on during the March CCTRAS class. The class is intended to provide students with the information and skills necessary to manage a critical incident related to an active killer/mass attack event. In addition, the class provides information on international and domestic terror groups. The information regarding terror … [Read more...]
