Octoberfest
Or
The Gunsite Alumni Shoot Wrap-Up and Election 2020
What a grand Saturday on October 3 for the annual Gunsite Alumni Shoot (GAS Match). Once again, our late friend and staff member Chris Dwiggens said it best: “A social engagement slightly interrupted by gunfire.” Near two hundred (200) shooters and many guests arrived at Gunsite Saturday morning bright and early to fresh coffee, temperatures taken, breakfast by US Vets and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard presenting the colors along with the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. (No one took a knee.)
Shooters were down range, and the ranges were hot prior to 0800. Approximately 60,000 rounds were safely fired in stages and side-matches by 1600. (The results are posted here at Practice Score: https://practiscore.com/results/new/e66a4fbd-85f3-46d8-8aa7-6e8af61952f3 ). A grand time was had by all.
Once again, we are reminded of how many friendships have been made as a result of Gunsite. How blessed we are to have the opportunity, the unalienable rights, to gather as we do to learn life-saving skills and glean such wonderful fellowship.
Late afternoon, we enjoyed the live jazz guitar of Bob Shimizu, music and PA by The Sound Brothers and the Memorabilia Silent and Live Auction. The total donated to the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation is still being tallied, but it will be substantial. Awards were distributed, prizes were won, fun was had by all. Thanks to all our industry partners who filled our prize tables with enough prizes for all to partake. (Look to our list elsewhere in the newsletter and please send our sponsors a thank you email.)
The first planning meeting for 2021 GAS was yesterday morning. Fine tuning some minor issues from 2020 was discussed, the winner of the returning stage was named (Pete Feeney’s stage) and a new “contest” just prior to dinner was decided.
The new contest will be the display of your best BBQ Rig and Gun. But this is not just an average “wear your rig.” We plan on a carpet and appropriate music for you to “work” the red carpet, showing off your rig and gun. So, find your best gun and rig, dust off those “Patrick Swayzee Jeans and Vanna White outfits,” practice those dance moves and be ready to be “tucked.” The person collecting the most dollars during their strut down the aisle will be the winner with the monies going to the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation.) All this done in polite, tasteful and fun ways. This is a family event!
Speaking of our unalienable rights, have you registered to vote? Have you done your due diligence on all the candidates? Local to National, you owe it to those who have offered their “last full measure” earning your right to vote so you must study the issues and candidates and vote.
Once again, our way of life, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Supreme Court is at stake. Do you wish to continue to be able to purchase the firearms of your choice? Would you like to have ammunition and reloading components available and not with draconian taxes and limitations?
If you are a recent new firearm owner, have you considered what it would be like had the Second Amendment not allowed you to have the right to purchase your firearm to defend yourself and your family? Some of our candidate’s public platforms are clear that they do not believe you should own standard capacity magazines or modern sporting rifles. Many want to tax firearms, ammunition and components heavily. (Many of those candidates reside in gated communities, behind walls and with security details.) Read the candidates public platforms and consider that you would not have been able to purchase your firearm had their policies been in place. Vote accordingly.
The appointment of Supreme Court Justices has a multi-generational impact on the Republic. The Justices need to have a solid understanding of the Constitution so they can offer their decisions properly, based upon the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Again, vote accordingly.
If you are still looking to attend Gunsite this Fall, classes are filling quickly. The double 250 class in October is full and November is near full. We just doubled the December 250 as the initial one was full.
October classes include Carbine Range Day 2 (a full Saturday and Sunday with Carbine), Ladies 150 Pistol 1 and Ladies Pistol 2, Seasoned Citizen 350 Pistol, Long Range Rifle (PR7), and a Nashville Close Quarters Pistol class at Royal Range. (Not to mention multiple private tutorials. Remember, we can tailor a class to suit you and your friends and family in a private setting.)
November carries on with the Crimson Trace 250 and the regular 250, a 123 Carbine Class in Lebanon Indiana, the Low-Light 350 Pistol, Defensive 3 Gun (A great introduction to or refresher of Pistol, Carbine and Shotgun), Pistol Range Day, a 3 Day 150 Pistol Course, the Seasoned Citizen Close Quarters Pistol, Shotgun Range Day and more.
We also have two special classes in November. First, world famous tactical tracker David Scott-Donelan will be offering a Rhodesian Debrief of the wars. https://www.gunsite.com/classes/rhodesian-war-debrief/ David was a Selous Scout and stood up their Terrorist Tracking Unit. This one day debrief is a rare opportunity to learn first-hand of the war. We also host David again with his Tactical Tracking Class at Gunsite. It is fruitful for the tactical as well as search and rescue teams. https://www.gunsite.com/classes/level-1-tactical-mantracking/
The world is a different place. It is past time for you to get trained up or refresh your training.
Once again, do your due diligence and vote for the candidates that shall support the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
DVC,
Ken
