Spring is one of the busiest times of the year at Gunsite with a wide variety of course offerings and training opportunities. February offers the “Gunsite Experience” 250 Defensive Pistol course and an Arizona Concealed Carry Weapons course. Even though Arizona is a constitutional carry state there are several benefits to obtaining a CCW permit. In addition to the training you receive, the CCW permit gives you additional carry privileges in Arizona and it is recognized by over 30 other states.
March has many training opportunities beginning with our 223 Defensive Carbine course. Come learn the weapon system of choice for the U.S. military, American Law Enforcement and the most prevalent carbine among competitors and defense minded, freedom loving individuals. March also offers another opportunity for the 250 Defensive Pistol course, followed by our 350 Intermediate Pistol. 350 includes 3 days of indoor and outdoor simulators in both daylight and night time as well as force on force scenarios. In late March we will offer 2 courses in Tucson at the Pima Pistol Club. There will be a 2 day Ladies Only Pistol course followed by a 2 day shotgun course. The shotgun course is perfect for anyone wanting to learn how use one of the best home defense weapons available or as a refresher to those already familiar with it.
April starts off with our 270 General Rifle course. This course is ideal for the hunter, target shooter or self defense minded individual. Close Quarter Pistol is one of the most practical, real life based classes available to anyone, anywhere. 556 Advanced Carbine is the next step for those who have taken 223. 556 includes numerous indoor and outdoor simulators as well as force on force scenarios. Team Tactics for Two is a must training opportunity for all couples and or partners. Learn how to work as a team at home, in public settings and in and around your vehicle. April also offers a 2 day weekend course on Edged Weapons. Everyone carries a knife, even in places where you cannot bring a firearm. Knowledge of edged weapons is a must for anyone serious about self defense and protection.
February brings us the celebration of Arizona’s 100 years. Come to our fine State and experience the commemoration of the anniversary of Arizona’s Statehood, the 48th State of the USA.
I just returned from the 2012 SHOT show, the largest and most successful ever.
All the manufacturers are working to fulfill backorders that will extend well past the Gingrich inauguration. One has only to check the current stock market values of the 2 publicly held firearms manufacturers in America to see that their values have increased dramatically in the last year.
It is now impossible to count the number of manufacturers of Sport Utility Rifles (AR platform rifles) and 1911 and polymer pistols.
In the training business we have an ever increasing number of providers. We have experienced an increase of 600% in women participating in training.
How have we arrived at this point, three years into the administration of the most anti freedom president in the nation’s history?
Where has all this energy and enthusiasm come from?
What is driving this expansion of our industry, this expression of freedom of our citizens?
I submit to you that 2012 is the culmination of a Perfect Storm that began brewing in 1988. The year of the first shall issue concealed carry law passed in Florida. This law was the impetus for more than 40 more states to pass similar legislation.
In 1994, the Clinton administration passed their version of the Sport Utility Rifle ban and the ban on standard capacity magazines, requiring manufacturers to sell only reduced capacity magazines. Along with a significant tax increase, these two issues cost President Clinton his ability to govern from the left as America mobilized to take over the national legislature.
In 2001, jihadists attacked America, using commercial aircraft. Once the passengers understood what was going on, Americans took the fight to the jihadists. While the plane crashed, the heroes aboard the aircraft prevented another victory for the jihadists and provided a lesson for all Americans. Never surrender, fight, they may kill you but if you do not fight they will surely kill you.
In 2004, the Clinton bans on Sport Utility Rifles and standard capacity magazines expired, even as the leftists fought to reinstate the law that did nothing to reduce crime or make America safer.
In 2005, hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. All public services were destroyed, the local police were collecting privately owned firearms and as America watched the citizens were repeatedly abused by the dregs of society for days on end. 25 years prior the US Supreme Court had ruled in Warren v. D.C. that the police had no duty to protect you and it was proven again they not only have no duty to but they didn’t.
In 2005, “The Lawful Commerce in Arms Act”, shepherded through by the National Rifle Association was passed and signed by President Bush. This legislation provided that firearms manufacturers, distributors and dealers could not be sued out of business. This one act actually saved this industry in America and tens of thousands of jobs.
In 2008, Heller v. D.C. was decided, the Second Amendment was affirmed, yes, Virginia, you can own a firearm. Also in 2008, government expansion took off. At an ever escalating rate, freedom has been continuously restricted, debt has been heaped upon all of us and crime has been increasing.
In 2010 McDonald v. Chicago was decided, Yes Mr. Daley and Mr. Obama, the Second Amendment does apply to Illinois.
In 2011 and 2012 we are watching the fall of the insolvent governments across Europe. We are watching the overthrow of “The Friends of Obama” (governments he greeted warmly in 2009, traveling across the Middle East, offering apologies for America).
In case after case, Americans witnessed hours of attacks on the hardworking European producers by consumers and terrorists of every stripe. Americans have taken notice of our real economic situation (almost Greece).
Americans are aware that the potential for large scale unrest is real. They are aware that they DO have the inalienable right to life, they DO have the right to own implements of defense and the local authorities DO NOT have the obligation to protect them.
Americans have awakened to the realization that they really do have only themselves to rely on when unrest rises to these levels. Hence, the most vibrant industry in these troubled times is our firearms industry with ever increasing sales and employment.
Buz Mills
Gunsite Ranch
January 26, 2012
