June Newsletter

Greetings to all, and happy summer.  School is out so drive carefully (no texting), and take a youngster out shooting every day.

April and May have been perfect months for training.  We have had high temperatures in the 80s and low temperatures in the 50s.  Meanwhile, our brethren down in Phoenix have already seen many days in triple digits.  If you were not here this month, you have truly missed out.  Colonel Cooper did indeed pick the right place.

Speaking of Jeff Cooper:  We celebrated his birthday here in May as well as Janelle Cooper’s and John Wayne’s.

We experienced record attendance here on the ranch in May, and June is projected to exceed that.  Increasing numbers of folks are confirming their interest in personal freedom.  We are pleased by the greater numbers of ladies who choose to attend our school – in all classes.  Indeed we encourage family groups to come to school as they may be called upon to function as a unit in a time of danger.  May must have been a “Family Month”, because we had more than 20 family groups in attendance.

At the time of this writing, most of the June sections of our classes are full, with the exception of the 270 General Rifle class.  This was one of Jeff Cooper’s favorite classes, for he considered himself a rifleman first.  If you wish to take advantage of an open slot in 270, we urge you to contact Karen ASAP (shari@gunsite.com) and find out if you can still get in.

This July we offer two of our most often requested classes:  250 (Basic Pistol) and LRR (Long Range Rifle). While there are still a few open slots, they will go quickly.  Our friends in Phoenix tend to schedule themselves into the high country as summer advances in the Valley of the (surface of) the Sun.  So, if you’ve been thinking about these classes either for yourself or a loved one, now is the time to make contact.

We look forward to offering an off-site 250 class in Franklin, TN, the first in this venue.  We hope to offer other sections in Franklin, but this too is filling rapidly. Contact Karen or Dave ASAP to secure a Gunsite class that may be more geographically accessible to you than Arizona.

GAS Match News:  Our nefarious range staff is already plotting surprises for GAS attendants. Ron and his crew are very, very good at introducing confusing elements into a scenario – which may cause you to shoot someone you really mean to save.  The courses of fire are always fun and challenging, which is the point of the exercise.  We also hope to reinforce your training, so expect most of the skills you learned at school to be mandated in the stages.  This is what makes GAS different from a regular shooting match.  There is always a point to the exercise.  Put this date on your calendar (the first weekend in October).  We promise a rollicking good time, fellowship with like-minded people, good food and a bounteous prize table (at least a dozen guns will go home with someone.  Why not with you?).

On either side of the GAS Match we’ll offer a selection of popular classes – something for everyone’s taste.  This affords you an opportunity to plan a full week or two, with GAS on one end or even in the middle!  Numerous studies have shown that total immersion is the best way to learn, and with GAS and a regular class you will have plenty of trigger time!

As always, Facebook and our website keep track of people and events surrounding the school and our clients.  Jane Anne keeps our Facebook presence completely up to date, and we are nearing the maximum number of “friends” allowed.  So, visit us on Facebook and “friend” us while you still can.

We also are happy to accommodate groups that have specific interests that are outside our normal curriculum, or partake of more than one discipline.  That includes a “bachelor party” class that we’ll host this year!  We’re also more than happy to build you a corporate team-building event here at the ranch.  Many industry members visit Gunsite for continuing education purposes as well.  If you have a vague notion of creating your own unique class, then stop being vague.  “Vague notions” get you nowhere.  Here in Yavapai County, we just attended our annual Friends of the NRA fundraising dinner.  We enjoy the good time we have, and are proud of the good that we do in attending these functions.  The NRA deserves ALL of your support, so if there is a Friends of the NRA dinner being held in your area by all means purchase some tickets and bring your family for a good time and a good cause.

Over 80% of the funds raised in these events go to youth programs – which is where we should be putting a strong emphasis.  Our kids are our future, and we always need more functioning Americans who know, understand and PRACTICE what is taught in our Constitution.  So, the call goes out:  Support the NRA, especially in this crucial election year.

If you know a youngster, then you probably know one that would like to go shooting.  Kids like being able to project power, and with suitable instruction they do that but they also get much, much more.  Each shot, if it teaches something, builds the character of the shooter.  As a Gunsite Family member, YOU are the right person to communicate the discipline, the moral character and the safe enjoyment of a fun pastime.  Get out there and train the next generation.  When they’re ready, bring them to school with you.

We thank you for your friendship and your support of our common cause.  Thank you for being a Gunsite Family member.  Read, write and THINK for yourself – and on this Memorial Day weekend, be thankful to our veterans.

Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas,

Buz