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 place, reunited with her beloved husband Jeff.
The Cooper family sends their thanks to all the Gunsite family for the kind words, comments, cards, flowers and sentiments sent to them. (Cards for the family may be mailed to: The Cooper Family, c/o Gunsite, 2900 West Gunsite Road, Paulden AZ 86334) Mrs. Cooper was laid to rest along-side Jeff in the family mausoleum following a private family ceremony on August 3, 2019. A public celebration of life is tentatively scheduled for September 28 in Prescott. The location and time will be announced at a later date.
Miscreants with crazed minds again have attacked good people. In usual fashion, there are knee jerk reactions saying we must “do something.” As we consider options as to what to do, the facts are important.
“97.8% of public mass shootings since 1950 have occurred in gun-free zones Less than 20% of gun crimes are committed by law-abiding gun owners. From ’07-’15 overall murder rates fell by 18% while the percentage of concealed carry permits increased by 190%”
Attempts to fund raise by a political party and politicians based upon these incidents is a sad commentary. Pointing fingers at political figures is not the response either. Those holding political office are not to blame. It is the person, the miscreant, the criminal who is responsible. It is not the tool. The fight to protect our Constitution and Bill of Rights continues. The 2020 elections continue to be critical to this.
Let me share an excellent quote from a friend, fellow trainer, physician and Gunsite family member:
“The Problem is not “guns,” it is Societal and based upon dejected, desperate, disillusioned outcasts devoid of Traditional Human Value. They live alone without God, familial/parental nurturing and are incapable of coping within a normal human society. They are the result of removing Prayer from schools, Fathers from family, Virtue and Heroism (and even normal polite face-to-face human interaction) from daily life.
We need to maintain what is Good in our American Society. It shall not fail. We yet shall prevail!”
Stay involved Gunsite family. Stay involved mentally (Follow the Color Code), stay prepared physically (physical health and equipment), stay ready with your training. You are the first responder. Plan accordingly.
The Youth courses (250 and 350) were exciting weeks. The last month brings great cheer to our hearts and souls as we worked with the young Americans. Watching and listening to these great kids on the range, in the lunchroom and after class was exciting. These young Americans wore their pistols all day, every day. There was no fear of evil. We are so grateful to the parents for entrusting their “most precious cargo” to us for their training. One of the highlights is always the shoot-off between the winner of the adult 250 or 350 and the Youth 250 or 350. This year it could not have been scripted better in 350 as it was Dad vs. Daughter! (Dad prevailed in the 3rd bout.)
Following the Youth courses was the gratis bi-annual Veterans 223 and 250 courses. Seeing these American warriors, some back together again for the first time since deployment, was a great experience. Thanks to Gunsite family members Paul Wakefield and Brian DeKind for their generous contributions of buying lunches for every veteran in all four (4) courses for both weeks. Thanks to the Gunsite family for donating ammo remaining at the end of their course. Some vets were in need and “the ammo fairy” assisted.
A month like this helps us remember what a great Republic we live in, full of outstanding folks, striving to maintain our way of life. (Despite what the mainstream media regularly reports.)
Let’s talk business a few minutes. We are considering looking at new registration systems for Gunsite. It is a comprehensive system. (Think of a college registration system: tuitions, housing, scheduling, classroom and range status, student registrations and history, staff records, refunds, payments, gift certificates, ammunition packages, automatic mailings of class documents, financial reports, etc.) If you are experienced in this type of business, contact Ken@gunsite.com with your resume or company information and we may discuss further.
Also, if you are an architect, we may be considering some building design and re-design. If this is your forte, send your information to Ken@gunsite.com and we may be back in touch.
August continues to be busy. We have a Ladies’ 150 Pistol and Ladies’ Pistol 2 next week alongside a 270 Rifle. (It is not too late to enroll!) We also will be back at The Firearms Academy of Seattle for another 150 Pistol Course, have the inaugural run of the BRAVE 2 course, the popular Carbine Range Day on Saturday August 24, another NRL 22 Match and a 250 Revolver Course. Lots of opportunities in August. Classes often are smaller as folks think we are as hot as Phoenix. (We are usually about 20 degrees cooler.)
September is always a full month with 250 Pistol, Royal Range/Nashville 250 Pistol, Seasoned Citizen 260 Shotgun, 223, the Indiana 150 Pistol, the increasingly popular Concealed Carry Pistol, the new Pistol Range Day 2 (Sept. 21-22 to prepare for GAS!), Extreme Long Range Rifle, Close Quarters Pistol, hosting a Glock Armorer’s Course and then the week prior to GAS! Whew . . .
This was a long newsletter, but there was much to discuss this month.
Remember to stay alert. (When did you last read “Principles of Personal Defense” to “get your mind right?”) Have you considered some sort of a tactical medicine course? Keep training so when it happens to you, you have educated choices to make and the skill sets to prevail.
God Bless the Republic.
DVC,
Ken
