Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation

Today, I’m  heading out to Arizona to one of the finest gun ranges in the country, The Scottsdale Gun Club , to shoot some new videos for the Personal Firearms Defense DVD Series. When I looked at my itinerary this morning, it reminded me that I wanted to post a blog about an AZ project that should be close to the heart of anyone in the private sector training industry. In many ways, Jeff Cooper was the Isaac Newton of our profession. He started the industry with American Pistol Institute and organized , articulated and developed the teaching theories that dominated defensive firearms training for a couple of decades and continue to influence our thought and practices today. His “Modern Technique” is still the core of many programs, in fact.

Jeff Cooper’s wife and daughter, Janelle Cooper and Lindy Cooper-Wisdom, have undertaken a project to ensure that his legacy is remembered long after we’re gone by providing small scholarships to individual students who wish to train in programs that can trace their lineage back to Cooper. Courses at the current Gunsite, with Clint Smith or Ken Campbell and others were mentioned when I spoke with the Cooper’s at SHOT Show.

Perhaps more importantly, the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation aims to build a permanent museum in Arizona at the site of his school, which I think is a great idea. The library, writings, firearms collection and other memorabilia of Jeff Cooper and the early days of this industry would be on display for anyone and everyone interested in defensive firearms to appreciate and learn from.

Whether you still train in the doctrine of the “modern technique” or you have never heard of it, you should consider supporting this foundation… because it is protecting the memory of the foundation of our industry.

Here is a quick video clip about the organization: Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation at SHOT Show 2010.

Visit their website and see how you can help, in addition to opportunities to donate, the website offers books and videos for sale as well.

-RJP