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...]
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...]
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...]
