In Dangerous Times, Train for Self-Defense
If you’re going to own a tool, it’s best to know how to properly use it. That’s as true for firearms as it is for chainsaws. Given the rising temperature of American politics, including escalating violence against people and property, my wife Wendy and I decided it was time to up our game when it came to self-defense. To that end, we enrolled in Gunsite Academy’s Defensive Pistol class.
Shootier Than the House of Mouse
Located in Paulden, Arizona, Gunsite was founded in 1976 by the legendary Jeff Cooper. Among his accomplishments, Cooper developed the Modern Technique of the Pistol and created the first formal firearms training academy for the general public. The academy covers roughly 3,200 acres and teaches everything from concealed carry classes to tactical medicine. The 250 Defensive Pistol class is the flagship offering of what Gunsite CEO Ken Campbell, a personable former sheriff of Boone County, Indiana, calls “unwoke Disneyland with guns.”
But while Gunsite is a fun place to shoot, it’s also a good place to become a better shooter. Among the attendees was a man who asked that I refer to him by the pseudonym “Jacob Weinberg” because of the sensitivity of his work. Jacob is a frequent attendee at Gunsite and a repeat student in the 250 class. He is affiliated with a nonprofit that trains volunteers to defend synagogues, schools, events, and to participate in neighborhood watches. His skills reflected his regular presence at the academy.
Much the same could be said of Linda Tyrrell, an NRA instructor from Green Bay, Wisconsin, who also certifies armed security guards for her state and co-chairs the local chapter of Armed Women of America. When I asked her why an NRA instructor would travel across the country to attend Gunsite, she told me it was to further develop her skills: “I consider this to be the premier place to come.”
There were a total of 32 students from across the U.S., plus a German who was the lone revolver shooter. All of us were required to submit our concealed carry permits or else be vetted by a private investigator (at minor expense) to ensure we had no disqualifying criminal record.
Article from Reason.com
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