Ignatius Piazza and Front Sight Blog for Self Defense Firearms Training
Self Defense Firearms Training for Law Enforcement, Military, and Gun Owning Private Citizens Alike

Front Sight Firearms Training Institute is the nation’s largest gun training school, and the viewpoint that Front Sight has about the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision is likely shared by not only all of America, but the U.S. Supreme Court itself.

Response from essay context finalist with some great advice:

Dr. Piazza:

First, thanks for picking my essay as one of the finalists. It has been a busy week, and I just finished reading all of the others. Good company!
Sure, we all deserve awards! Seriously, this contest is a good idea, and maybe you should have it every year or so, if only to keep people thinking. It isn’t enough just to be well trained; you also need to know why you are going to act.

After reading them all, it seems to me that you have some that are…

Ethics, too, are nothing but reverence for life. That is what gives me the fundamental principle of morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining, promoting, and enhancing life, and that destroying, injuring, and limiting life are evil.
— Albert Schweitzer

It might seem strange to some to begin an essay about the Second Amendment with a quote about “ethics”, “reverence for life”, “morality.” After all, don’t guns destroy life? How could they possibly enhance it?

Consider for a moment that: the remarkable men who gave us our Constitution and the first ten amendments we call the Bill of Rights had a definite…

By Eric Liu
Front Sight Diamond Member 318

The target stood motionless in front of me, quiet and still, while my heart pounded deep within my chest, loud enough that I swore I was hearing it with my ears. My eyes strained to see the fine details of his silhouette as my fingers twitched against my legs. Suddenly and with violence of action it was on – a crisp and smooth sweep of my right hand against my field jacket flung the heavy coat open, and I found the frame of my Glock 17 sitting patiently in its holster, as…

Each and every one of the amendments is vital to our nation’s freedom, but without the power to protect one’s freedom - you may was well not have any freedoms at all. The second amendment is so important because it preserves the individual’s right to keep and bear arms. This enables individuals to protect themselves from any threats. Such threats can include criminals and the government. If the people of this nation are not able to arm themselves from a power hungry government, then our forefathers have fought for no reason.

A constitutionally limited republic can only succeed…

by
A L-Jones

Recently, I went to my local sheriff’s department to get myself a free speech license. I am fortunate enough to live in a state that has a First Amendment “Shall Issue” policy for open free speech and peaceable assembly. They offer permits, fees and tax forms for religion, the press and petition, too, which is also neat.

There are some states, though, that have criminalized any and all First Amendment activity. Our great nation’s capital and some of the more progressive states have banned free speech entirely. I don’t know how it could have happened. An old timer…

by Lee Brooks

A handgun means many things to me. Mostly I feel that it is a duty of citizenship. Duty, a much used word and I think a poorly understood one. To me it is much more than a responsibility. Webster’s defines duty as; “conduct due to parents and superiors, the action required by one’s position or occupation, the force of moral obligation.” When was the last time you felt so strongly about something that it became more than a responsibility, It became a duty. A moral obligation.

“… I will do my best to do my duty to…

by Scott Harmon

Our life is the standard by which we judge all things. There is nothing so beautiful as living, raising your family, and enjoying the liberties we are so fortunate to have in this country. The Founders of this country understood “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” when they signed their names to the Declaration. They understood this when they pledged “Our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Words on a piece of paper, whether it is a document as eloquent as the Declaration or as majestic as the Constitution, do not by themselves guarantee any of…

by Rebecca Stickley

What the Second Amendment means to me is the freedom to own a gun, to be able to shoot a gun, and to be able to defend myself. It is too bad that owning a gun and being trained to use a gun is looked down upon. If it wasn’t, the crime rate would go down drastically.

I believe that citizens should have full and easy access to firearms in order to protect themselves. Training should also be widely available for all citizens - young and old - to ensure the safe use of firearms. Together this will lead…

by Randy Shaw

What Front Sight Firearms Training Institute means to me can be summarized in four words: Competence, Confidence, Change and Caring. Let me explain what each of these means.

Competence essentially means being able to perform at a high level. Being able to perform the skills you may need in a defensive situation at a high level is what Front Sight training is all about. Before I attended my first Front Sight course, I thought I was fairly competent with a handgun. After all, I had taken several courses at the local range and I practiced fairly regularly. Shortly…