Front Sight Firearms Training Institute
Encyclopedia
Front Sight Firearms Training Institute, also known as Front Sight, is a privately owned and operated facility for training people how to safely operate firearms in both recreational and self-defense settings, also referred to as "comfort of skill at arms". It was founded in 1996 by Dr. Ignatius Piazza
to train people in firearms handling and also to "positively change the image of gun ownership in our lifetimes".
. In 1998, a 550 acres (222.6 ha) property in Nye County
, between Las Vegas, Nevada
and Pahrump, Nevada
, was purchased and the operation gradually moved there. This location, called "Front Sight Nevada", provides facilities for training in firearms as well as climbing, rappelling, and other forms of self-defense.
The Bakersfield facility was closed in 2002.
Portions of the Front Sight Nevada property are still under development. As of April 2008, the facility includes a 6000 square feet (557.4 m²) classroom area, 12 shooting ranges, a rifle range, live fire simulators, underground training simulators, a SWAT tower, a pro shop, a gunsmithing facility and armory, a martial arts area, and a secluded VIP training space.
In early 2004, Front Sight also acquired an extensive property on the Kenai Peninsula
in Alaska
. The Alaska location, called "Front Sight Alaska", has focused on outdoorsmanship and includes training and activities such as big game hunting, fishing, kayaking, and bear safety.
From 1998 to 2002, Front Sight periodically offered free sub-machine gun courses at the new Nevada facility to gain exposure for the quality of the training offered.
Every year, Front Sight holds a "First Family Reunion" on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day
. Front Sight members, called "First Family", are invited to attend a day of free activities including shooting automatic weapons, catered food, and fireworks.
The targets used at Front Sight were invented by Piazza.
Since the first class in 1996, they have doubled every year.
Since 1999, there have been twelve self-inflicted gunshots wounds during instruction at Front Sight.
has also taken courses at Front Sight, having graduated from the Four Day Defensive Handgun course.
In 2006, Mark Wahlberg
attended sniper shooting classes at Front Sight to prepare for the 2007 movie Shooter.
In 2006, Piazza and Front Sight were sued in a class action by certain members of the "First Family", an exclusive membership to the Front Sight facility, for failing to deliver on expectations made when the memberships were purchased. A settlement was reached in 2007.
On July 4, 2007, a person died in a fall while using a "Zip Line" from the rappelling tower. This is the only fatality that has occurred at Front Sight.
In March 2008, Front Sight received zoning, planning, and tentative map approval from the Nye County Planning Department and Nye County Commissioners for a destination hotel and interval ownership condominium development on a portion of the 550 acres (2.2 km²) facility in Nevada. Previously, the land on the facility was intended to be used for a housing development expected to be "the safest community in America", but due to the results of the 2006 class action lawsuit, the plans were changed.
On May 11, 2009, due to Front Sight's legal counsel failing to appear to a hearing, Judge James Ware
of the U.S. Discrict Court for Northern California ordered a temporary receiver be appointed to Front Sight. This case is related to the class action suit, brought by plaintiff's, regarding a multi-million dollar shortfall in the class action fund. On May 18, 2009, Front Sight’s legal counsel appeared at a settlement hearing and Judge James Ware
discharged the interim-receiver leaving Front Sight in control of all aspects of its business. The termination of the receivership was made after the court received a copy of the receiver's report and based upon evidence presented at the May 18 hearing.
Over the weekend of April 10, 2010, Front Sight had over 800 students training at Front Sight. This broke their previous record of 673 students on November 6, 2009.
Since 2002, Front Sight has supported the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, offering gun training for pilots.
Front Sight has also made the news after several school shootings offering firearms training for teachers.
. Front Sight offered free firearms training to three teachers per school.
Front Sight is supported by the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
, and the Gun Owners of America
. Front Sight also is supported by the Friends of the NRA.
, shotgun
, rifle
and submachine gun
; and these are available as one, two or four day series. Other types of training include: empty hand defense, edged weapons, rappel and climb, child safety, youth achievement, corporate team building
, and an armorer
's course (all at Front Sight Nevada) and big game hunting
, bird
hunting, fishing
, children's outdoors safety, kayak
ing, and bear
safety] (at Front Sight Alaska).
Some of these classes are only available by invitation, or to those who have completed necessary prerequisite courses.
Before the course begins, a first time student must pass a background check
in excess of Federal requirements, and may require a reference from an existing Front Sight member or previous student. People wishing to take courses who do not know a Front Sight Member or previous student may use upstanding members of society as references. Students can bring their own firearms or rent from the facility’s Pro Shop for the duration of their courses.
Approximately 10% of people attending a course at Front Sight become lifetime members.
As of April 2008, there are approximately 8,500 members of Front Sight.
Generally, these lifetime memberships include course certificates which allow a student to take their first course at Front Sight for free. Commonly, these certificates are given to family and friends, raffled off in fundraisers, or donated to local law enforcement or other charities.
In addition to receiving highly discounted or free training for life, members also generally receive guaranteed enrollment in courses, discounts on firearms and ammunition from the Front Sight Pro Shop, access to the members section of the website, and invitations to the 4th of July
"reunion" every year.
. These "Gun Training Reports" are written by Dr. Piazza and consist of Gun Training Tips, news stories about or relevant to gun owners, and Transcripts
of some of the first time attendee's classes.
Dry Practice
Manuals in ammunition-less home practice are available via the website. These are soft cover
manuals with black-and-white photo illustrations.
The "Front Sight Blog" is published every few days. Every Monday's post is written by Dr. Piazza and is relevant to "gun
ownership, firearm
s training or Second Amendment
issues." The blog is where comments and email responses sent in to Front Sight by gun owners are posted. On March 15, 2010, Dr. Piazza wrote his 100th Monday Blog and asked his readers to print off and mail Gadsden flag
s to their US Representative, US senators and the White House.
Ignatius Piazza
Dr. Ignatius "Naish" Piazza is the founder and director of the Front Sight Firearms Training Institute in Pahrump, Nevada. He lives near Santa Cruz, California.-Biography:...
to train people in firearms handling and also to "positively change the image of gun ownership in our lifetimes".
Locations
Originally, Front Sight was located near Bakersfield, CaliforniaBakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
. In 1998, a 550 acres (222.6 ha) property in Nye County
Nye County, Nevada
-National protected areas:* Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge* Death Valley National Park * Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest * Spring Mountains National Recreation Area -Demographics:...
, between Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
and Pahrump, Nevada
Pahrump, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 24,631 people, 10,153 households, and 7,127 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 82.7 people per square mile . There were 11,651 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile...
, was purchased and the operation gradually moved there. This location, called "Front Sight Nevada", provides facilities for training in firearms as well as climbing, rappelling, and other forms of self-defense.
The Bakersfield facility was closed in 2002.
Portions of the Front Sight Nevada property are still under development. As of April 2008, the facility includes a 6000 square feet (557.4 m²) classroom area, 12 shooting ranges, a rifle range, live fire simulators, underground training simulators, a SWAT tower, a pro shop, a gunsmithing facility and armory, a martial arts area, and a secluded VIP training space.
In early 2004, Front Sight also acquired an extensive property on the Kenai Peninsula
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is a large peninsula jutting from the southern coast of Alaska in the United States. The name Kenai is probably derived from Kenayskaya, the Russian name for Cook Inlet, which borders the peninsula to the west.-Geography:...
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. The Alaska location, called "Front Sight Alaska", has focused on outdoorsmanship and includes training and activities such as big game hunting, fishing, kayaking, and bear safety.
History
In the first class offered in April 1996, Front Sight trained ten students. Since then, it has grown substantially. As of April 2008, the corporate website says that the institute trains "tens of thousands of students per year". In addition, over 200,000 students have attended classes so far in the history of the Institute. In April 2010, they trained more than 3000 students.From 1998 to 2002, Front Sight periodically offered free sub-machine gun courses at the new Nevada facility to gain exposure for the quality of the training offered.
Every year, Front Sight holds a "First Family Reunion" on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
. Front Sight members, called "First Family", are invited to attend a day of free activities including shooting automatic weapons, catered food, and fireworks.
The targets used at Front Sight were invented by Piazza.
Since the first class in 1996, they have doubled every year.
Since 1999, there have been twelve self-inflicted gunshots wounds during instruction at Front Sight.
Notable events
Noted speaker and author on gun violence Lt. Col. Dave GrossmanDave Grossman (author)
Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman is an author who has specialized in the study of the psychology of killing, which has been termed 'killology'.In February 1998 Grossman retired from the military as Professor of Military Science at Arkansas State University...
has also taken courses at Front Sight, having graduated from the Four Day Defensive Handgun course.
In 2006, Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, film and television producer, and former rapper. He was known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, and became famous for his 1991 debut as a musician with the band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. He was named No. 1 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of...
attended sniper shooting classes at Front Sight to prepare for the 2007 movie Shooter.
In 2006, Piazza and Front Sight were sued in a class action by certain members of the "First Family", an exclusive membership to the Front Sight facility, for failing to deliver on expectations made when the memberships were purchased. A settlement was reached in 2007.
On July 4, 2007, a person died in a fall while using a "Zip Line" from the rappelling tower. This is the only fatality that has occurred at Front Sight.
In March 2008, Front Sight received zoning, planning, and tentative map approval from the Nye County Planning Department and Nye County Commissioners for a destination hotel and interval ownership condominium development on a portion of the 550 acres (2.2 km²) facility in Nevada. Previously, the land on the facility was intended to be used for a housing development expected to be "the safest community in America", but due to the results of the 2006 class action lawsuit, the plans were changed.
On May 11, 2009, due to Front Sight's legal counsel failing to appear to a hearing, Judge James Ware
James Ware (judge)
James S. Ware is the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and his chambers are in San Francisco, California.- Early life and education :...
of the U.S. Discrict Court for Northern California ordered a temporary receiver be appointed to Front Sight. This case is related to the class action suit, brought by plaintiff's, regarding a multi-million dollar shortfall in the class action fund. On May 18, 2009, Front Sight’s legal counsel appeared at a settlement hearing and Judge James Ware
James Ware (judge)
James S. Ware is the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and his chambers are in San Francisco, California.- Early life and education :...
discharged the interim-receiver leaving Front Sight in control of all aspects of its business. The termination of the receivership was made after the court received a copy of the receiver's report and based upon evidence presented at the May 18 hearing.
Over the weekend of April 10, 2010, Front Sight had over 800 students training at Front Sight. This broke their previous record of 673 students on November 6, 2009.
Activism
Front Sight's purpose is to "restore the second amendment" by "positively affecting the image of gun ownership in our lifetime."Since 2002, Front Sight has supported the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, offering gun training for pilots.
Front Sight has also made the news after several school shootings offering firearms training for teachers.
. Front Sight offered free firearms training to three teachers per school.
Front Sight is supported by the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership is a group dedicated to the preservation of gun rights in the United States and "to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone". The group was founded by former firearms dealer Aaron S. Zelman in 1986...
, and the Gun Owners of America
Gun Owners of America
Gun Owners of America is a gun rights organization in the United States with over 300,000 members. They make efforts to differentiate themselves from the larger National Rifle Association , and have publicly criticized the NRA on multiple occasions for what the GOA considers to be the selling out...
. Front Sight also is supported by the Friends of the NRA.
Training
The majority of Front Sight courses involve firearms training, but there are many other classes available. Among the firearms courses offered are handgunHandgun
A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....
, shotgun
Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
, rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
and submachine gun
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
; and these are available as one, two or four day series. Other types of training include: empty hand defense, edged weapons, rappel and climb, child safety, youth achievement, corporate team building
Team building
Team building refers to a wide range of activities, presented to businesses, schools, sports teams, religious or nonprofit organizations designed for improving team performance...
, and an armorer
Armorer
An armourer or armorer is a member of a military or police force who maintains and repairs small arms and weapons systems, with some duties resembling those of a civilian gunsmith....
's course (all at Front Sight Nevada) and big game hunting
Big game hunting
Big game hunting is the hunting of large game. The term is historically associated with the hunting of Africa's Big Five game , and with tigers and rhinos on the Indian subcontinent. In North America, animals such as bears and bison were hunted...
, bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
hunting, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, children's outdoors safety, kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
ing, and bear
Bear
Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
safety] (at Front Sight Alaska).
Some of these classes are only available by invitation, or to those who have completed necessary prerequisite courses.
Before the course begins, a first time student must pass a background check
Background check
A background check or background investigation is the process of looking up and compiling criminal records, commercial records and financial records of an individual....
in excess of Federal requirements, and may require a reference from an existing Front Sight member or previous student. People wishing to take courses who do not know a Front Sight Member or previous student may use upstanding members of society as references. Students can bring their own firearms or rent from the facility’s Pro Shop for the duration of their courses.
Approximately 10% of people attending a course at Front Sight become lifetime members.
Membership
Front Sight offers lifetime memberships in what is called the "First Family" with varying degrees of entitlement. Various types of memberships have been offered since 1996, some of which are no longer available. Most current memberships are available through the website, but some are only offered to those on the Front Sight e-mail list newsletter.As of April 2008, there are approximately 8,500 members of Front Sight.
Generally, these lifetime memberships include course certificates which allow a student to take their first course at Front Sight for free. Commonly, these certificates are given to family and friends, raffled off in fundraisers, or donated to local law enforcement or other charities.
In addition to receiving highly discounted or free training for life, members also generally receive guaranteed enrollment in courses, discounts on firearms and ammunition from the Front Sight Pro Shop, access to the members section of the website, and invitations to the 4th of July
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
"reunion" every year.
Other services
"Gun Training Reports" are provided free of charge for those who join the non-exclusive Front Sight emailing listElectronic mailing list
An electronic mailing list is a special usage of email that allows for widespread distribution of information to many Internet users. It is similar to a traditional mailing list — a list of names and addresses — as might be kept by an organization for sending publications to...
. These "Gun Training Reports" are written by Dr. Piazza and consist of Gun Training Tips, news stories about or relevant to gun owners, and Transcripts
Transcription (linguistics)
Transcription in the linguistic sense is the systematic representation of language in written form. The source can either be utterances or preexisting text in another writing system, although some linguists only consider the former as transcription.Transcription should not be confused with...
of some of the first time attendee's classes.
Dry Practice
Dry fire
Dry firing is the practice of "firing" a firearm without ammunition. That is, to pull the trigger and allow the hammer or striker to drop on an empty chamber....
Manuals in ammunition-less home practice are available via the website. These are soft cover
Paperback
Paperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...
manuals with black-and-white photo illustrations.
The "Front Sight Blog" is published every few days. Every Monday's post is written by Dr. Piazza and is relevant to "gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
ownership, firearm
Firearm
A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...
s training or Second Amendment
Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights.In 2008 and 2010, the Supreme Court issued two Second...
issues." The blog is where comments and email responses sent in to Front Sight by gun owners are posted. On March 15, 2010, Dr. Piazza wrote his 100th Monday Blog and asked his readers to print off and mail Gadsden flag
Gadsden flag
The Gadsden flag is a historical American flag with a yellow field depicting a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Positioned below the snake is the legend "DONT TREAD ON ME." The flag was designed by and is named after American general and statesman Christopher Gadsden. It was also used by the...
s to their US Representative, US senators and the White House.
External links
- http://www.frontsight.com/
- http://www.ignatius-piazza.com/
- http://www.friendsofnra.org/
- http://www.facebook.com/front.sight