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 your neighborhood or workplace? Do you have a communications plan? Do you have an escape and evade plan, including a location to link-up? Is your emergency pack readily available, including water?
If you have not trained with your preferred methods of defense, shame on you. The cattle are out of the gate. Start your training plan now.
Record sales of guns and ammunition continue. It may very well be your family, friends and neighbors who have little firearms knowledge. Do your best to encourage them to get training. (We especially appreciate Gunsite training.) The NRA, local gun shops, or yourself. Take the time to at least ingrain in them the Four (4) Universal Safety Rules.
- All guns are always loaded.
- Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
- Always be sure of your target and what it beyond it.
We also strongly encourage you not to store a firearm in your vehicle. If you must do so to go to a “Gun Free Zone,” find a way to securely lock it in place. Under the seat, in the glove box or console is not secure. There are locking boxes available that can be secured to your floorboard or seat post.
If you travel, watch the news and social media for planned protesting and possible riots. Avoid those locations at all costs. As our friend, fellow-trainer and former Gunsite Instructor John Farnam says: Don’t do stupid things with stupid people in stupid locations. Why go to watch the protests or riots? You are putting yourself in harm’s way for no good reason.
We have reminded you for months to re-read Principles of Personal Defense and practice the Color Code. It is time to read it again and re-double your efforts in awareness.
If you are public safety/LEO, watch your six and be vigilant on every call. The is absolutely no “routine call.” But, keep in mind, I believe that the majority of Americans (the silent majority) have your back and support you.
Covid issues continue to be present. Arizona is open. Face-masks are required in some communities, but not in Yavapai County. We practice personal responsibility at Gunsite. Gunsite is clean and disinfected. Sanitizer is readily available. If you wish to wear a mask and/or gloves, feel free to. If you wish to sit next to someone in class or at lunch, it is your choice. But, like your Mom told you, wash your hands and cover your cough.
Yavapai County continues to be under a fire ban. It is very dry with little humidity and high winds. There are no wood, pellet or charcoal fires allowed on Gunsite. (Propane grills are acceptable.) Smoking is only allowed in your vehicles. We do not want a
wild-fire to begin at Gunsite.
Let’s get on to discussing some of the great news. Whether it is the lock-down being relaxed or the state-of-the-world, Gunsite classes are filling. As we close out June, the doubled 250 Pistol Class was here with a 556 Advanced Carbine and the Sig Pistol Mounted Optics Instructor Course. About twenty (20) folks are training in Alaska with Pistols and Carbines. We close out June with Defensive Lever Gun, Tactical Tracking, a Tavor Operator Course, and a 150 Pistol Class.
July starts out with the best summer camp for kids in America: Youth 250 Pistol! Parents/grandparents can have something to do, so we have an Edged Weapon and Pocket Pistol Course opposite the Y250. The Indiana 150 Pistol in Lebanon has a few spaced remaining in early July. Tactical Concealed Carry Pistol, Youth 350 Pistol, Shotgun Range Day, Active Shooter and Youth 270 Rifle round out July. Our friends Michael Bane and Guns & Ammo plan on being here again as well. Busy month.
Our GAS Match planning continues. Our stages are near ready, the shirt design has been approved and we “taste-test” the meals later this month. It will be here before you know it. If you are planning on the 250 or 350 preceding, do not wait. They are near full. BRAVE 2 (Did you read the first few paragraphs of my newsletter?), 499 Advanced Defensive Pistol and private classes immediately follow.
Wow! What a grand month. Remember to celebrate Independence Day appropriately. We live in the greatest country in the world, act accordingly.
DVC,
Ken
