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{{Infobox Settlement
{{Infobox Company
| company_name = Front Sight <br/>Firearms Training Institute
<!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
| company_logo = [[Image:Front-Sight-Logo.jpg|190px]]
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
| company_type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
<!-- Basic info ---------------->
| slogan = Any Gun Will Do - If You Will Do!
|name = Randolph, Tennessee
| foundation = [[Bakersfield, California]], [[United States|U.S.]] (1996)
|settlement_type = Unincorporated community
| founder = [[Ignatius Piazza]]
<!-- images and maps ----------->
| location = [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], [[United States|U.S.]]
|image_skyline = Randolph_TN_United_Methodist_Church.jpg
| industry = Firearms Training
|imagesize =
| homepage = [http://www.frontsight.com/ FrontSight.com]
|image_caption = Randolph [[United Methodist Church]]
}}
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|dot_map_caption = Location in the state of [[Tennessee]]
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|subdivision_name2 = [[Tipton County, Tennessee|Tipton]]
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|postal_code = 38015 ([[Burlison, Tennessee]])
|area_code = 901 ([[Memphis metropolitan area|Memphis metro area]])
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'''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 [[Ignatius Piazza|Dr. Ignatius Piazza]] to train people in firearms handling and also to "positively change the image of gun ownership in our lifetimes".
'''Randolph''' is an [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] rural community in [[Tipton County, Tennessee|Tipton County]], [[Tennessee]], [[United States]].


==Locations==
Founded in the 1830's, the community is one of the earliest settlements in Tipton County. Randolph's location on the second [[Chickasaw Bluff]] along the banks of the [[Mississippi River]] and at the lower mouth of the [[Hatchie River]], provided for an ideal harbor and made the town an early center of steamboat commerce in [[West Tennessee]], outnumbering the [[cotton]] shipments from [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] until 1840.


Originally, Front Sight was located near [[Bakersfield, California]]. <ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19970327002137/http://frontsight.com/ Web Archive Snapshot - Front Sight in Bakersfield]</ref> In 1998, a 550 acre property in [[Nye County, Nevada|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.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE3DC163EF936A25756C0A96F958260/ A 'Sun City' for Gun Enthusiasts] New York Times Article retrieved April 5, 2008.</ref>
The fortunes of the community began to decline in the late 1840's due to failed [[railroad]] development and an unsuccessful attempt to move the county seat from [[Covington, Tennessee|Covington]] to Randolph. An unfinished project to cut a canal from the [[Hatchie River]] and the [[Tennessee River]] and other factors also contributed to the commercial demise of the town. Two [[forts]] were built in Randolph in the [[American Civil War]]. During that war, the town was burnt down twice, which further promoted the demise of the once flourishing community.


The Bakersfield facility was closed in 2002.
In 2008, Randolph consists of about two dozen dwellings with no major industries and businesses present.

Portions of the Front Sight Nevada property are still under development. As of April 2008, the facility includes a 6000 square foot 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.<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/pages/facility.asp Original plans for Pahrump facility expansion] Retrieved April 5, 2008.</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/alaska/ Front Sight Alaska]</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Hernando de Soto===
[[Image:De Soto Discovers Mississippi BAH-p20.png|thumb|De Soto's first view of the Mississippi River.]]
[[Hernando de Soto]] (c.1496-1542) was a [[Spanish people|Spanish]] [[Exploration|explorer]] who led the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern [[United States]] and the first European documented to have discovered the [[Mississippi River]].


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" <ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/free-gun.asp Front Sight Promotion - &gt;10,000 students.]Retrieved April 5, 2008.</ref>. In addition, over 120,000 students have attended classes so far in the history of the Institute.<ref>Front Sight members mass e-mail sent February 21, 2008, which stated "...and you know we have proven with 123,657 students over the last 12 years that Front Sight provides the best firearms training courses in the industry..."</ref>
In 1541, De Soto and 400 men reached the Mississippi River in the area of what is modern [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]] and [[Tipton County, Tennessee|Tipton County]] in southwest Tennessee. Within four weeks of their arrival, the expedition had built several floats in order to cross the river and continue their expedition westward into what would later become [[Arkansas]] territory. There is a documented controversy about the exact location of Hernando de Soto's crossing over the Mississippi River. A report published in 1874 suggests that "''De Soto [...] traveled up to Randolph, and there built boats and crossed the river''".<ref>{{cite book |title=First and Second Reports of the Bureau of Agriculture for the State of Tennessee: Introduction to the Resources of Tennessee |last=Killebrew |first=Joseph Buckner |authorlink= |coauthors= |others=Tennessee Bureau of Agriculture |year=1874 |publisher=Tavel, Eastman & Howell |location= |isbn= |pages=1193 |url= }}</ref> Other documentations claim that it is "''generally believed and [...] probably true''" that De Soto crossed the Mississippi River at [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wdbj.net/shelby/goodspeed/history/history1.htm |title=Goodspeed's History of Shelby County, Tennessee (1887) |accessdate=2008-10-08 |work=Shelby County, Tennessee Genealogy & History |publisher=TNGenWeb Project |date= }}</ref>


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. <ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19990209151139/www.frontsight.com/monthly.htm Front Sight monthly report] January 1998</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20000614144948/www.frontsight.com/free_smg_course.htm Free Submachine Gun Course] June 2000</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20020802031228/www.frontsight.com/1day_smg_course.htm Free Submachine Gun Course] August 2002</ref>
===Estabishment===
Around 1800, [[Europeans]] began settling the land east of the [[Mississippi River]] that was inhabitated by [[Chickasaw]] Indians for centuries prior to the arrival of Europeans. The settlers began to claim properties in what is modern [[West Tennessee]] and some early landowners were eager to secure their investment. In the 1810's, more than a decade before Randolph would be founded, wealthy and influential investors tried to find ways to get a return on their share. In 1818, John Overton wrote to [[James Winchester]] (1752-1826) that "''We must not let the owners of the property on the Bluffs at the Mississippi above us be beforehand in laying off town &mdash; as it might damp the sale of ours''".<ref name=CAmem>
{{cite news
| first = Perre
| last = Magness
| title = Randolph dominated early river towns | format = History column
| publisher = Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee
| location = Memphis, Tennessee
| page = N2
| date = Sept. 15, 1988
}}
</ref> Overton and Winchester founded the [[Memphis, Tennessee|City of Memphis]] along with [[Andrew Jackson]] in 1819. They were trying to secure investments in property in the Memphis area that they owned and not give the advantage to investors "''above''" [emphasis added], north of Memphis on the Mississippi River, in Randolph.


Every year, Front Sight holds a "First Family Reunion" on July 4 to celebrate [[Independence Day (United States)|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.
Both Memphis and Randolph are located on one of the four [[Chickasaw Bluffs]], Randolph on the second and Memphis on the fourth. In the early 1800's, the topology of the Chickasaw Bluffs was providing promising locations for a harbor on the Mississippi River for both emerging towns. In 1820, the area that would become Randolph a few years later had an estimated population of 54 people.<ref name=TNfroniersFinger>
{{cite book |title=Tennessee Frontiers: Three Regions in Transition |last=Finger |first=John R. |year=2001 |publisher=Indiana University Press |location=Bloomington, IN |isbn=0253339855 |pages=257}}
</ref>


The targets used at Front Sight were invented by Piazza.<ref>[http://www.ignatius-piazza-and-front-sight-in-small-arms-review.com/ Small Arms Review Article] Retrieved April 5, 2008.</ref>
[[Image:Small_flatboat.JPG|thumb|Smaller [[flatboat]]]]
Early in the 1820's, landowners and investors John T. Brown and Robert Bedford were the proprietors of the land on the second [[Chickasaw Bluff]] that would form Randolph a few years later. Only 40-50&nbsp;[[mile|mi]] (60-80&nbsp;[[kilometer|km]]) north of [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] by water, they described it as "''a good landing for Mississippi River flatboats''". The [[Hatchie River]], joining the the Mississippi River just north of the second Chickasaw Bluff, was accessible to [[Steamboats of the Mississippi River|steamboats]] for {{convert|60|mi|km|-1}} upriver to [[Bolivar, Tennessee|Bolivar]]. Brown and Bedford chose the site on the second Chickasaw Bluff to lay out the plan for Randolph, a promising river town.<ref name=CAmem/>


Since 1999, there have been seven self-inflicted gunshots wounds during instruction at Front Sight.<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/SafetyReports.asp?Action=ShowSingle&ID=5 Unintentional Gunshot Wounds] Retrieved April 17, 2008.</ref>
The ''Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture'' gives the date of Randolph's official establishment as [[1823]].<ref name=TNencyclopedia>{{cite web |url=http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=T097 |title=TN Encyclopedia: Tipton County |accessdate=2008-10-04 |work= |publisher=The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture |date= }}</ref> Other reports date the foundation to 1827 or 1828.<ref name=CAmem/> The founders of Randolph named the community for [[John Randolph of Roanoke|John Randolph]]<ref name=TNencyclopedia/> (1773-1833), a leader in [[Congress]] from [[Virginia]] and spokesman for the "''[[Old Republican]]''" faction of the [[Democratic-Republican Party]] that wanted to restrict the federal government's roles.


===Steamboat commerce===
===Notable Events===
====Success====
[[Image:Steamboat Enterprise 1815 cropped.jpg|thumb|Early [[Mississippi River]] steamboat]]
Located on the banks of the [[Mississippi River]] on the second [[Chickasaw Bluff]], the [[topology]] of Randolph provided for an ideal harbor for steamboats and [[flatboats]] at all stages of the river. Randolph became the center of [[Steamboats of the Mississippi River|steamboat]] commerce in Tennessee and an important [[cotton]] shipping point in the 1830's. The town was an early rival of [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] over commercial superiority on the Mississippi River.<ref name=TipCtyGuide>{{Citation
| title = Covington-Tipton County Community Guide
| place = Covington, Tennessee
| publisher = Tipton County Chamber of Commerce
| year = 2005}}
</ref><ref name=TNencyclopedia/>
In 1830, Randolph was the most important shipping point in Tennessee.<ref name=TNMarkers>{{Citation
| title = Tennessee Historical Markers
| place =
| publisher = Tennessee Historical Commission
| year = 1996
| edition = 8th
| isbn = 0874020212}}
</ref> In the mid 1830s, Randolph shipped 35,000 to 40,000 bales of cotton on the Mississippi River every year, in 1839 cotton shipments added up to 20,000 to 25,000 bales. More cotton was shipped from Randolph than it was from Memphis until 1840. At the peak of its commercial success, the community was called the "''great steamboat depot of [[West Tennessee]]''".<ref name=TNencyclopedia/><ref name=PhelanHoT>
{{cite book |title=History of Tennessee: The Making of a State |last=Phelan |first=James |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1888 |publisher=Houghton, Mifflin and Company |location= |isbn= |pages= |url= }}
</ref>


Noted speaker and author on gun violence [[Dave Grossman (author)|Lt. Col. Dave Grossman]] has also taken courses at Front Sight, having graduated from the Four Day Defensive Handgun course.<ref>Front Sight members mass e-mail sent March 25, 2008, which stated "As you can see from his message [included in the mass e-mail], Lt. Col. Grossman is a great friend of Front Sight. He is also a graduate of our Four Day Defensive Handgun course."</ref>
By 1829, Randolph had three commission warehouses, six dry goods stores, ten physicians and one [[tavern]], 20 to 30 families were living there.<ref name=CAmem/> Early in the 1830's the town developed quickly. Randolph had a population of approximately 1,000 people in 1834. By that time, the town had four [[hotels]], almost fifty businesses, one of them a [[distillery]], several private [[schools]], and more than ten [[saloons]].<ref name=TNencyclopedia/><ref name=CAmem/> In the 1830's, Randolph had two newspapers, the ''Randolph Recorder'' and the ''Randolph Whig''. The ''Randolph Recorder'' was founded in 1834 and continued business until 1836. The ''Randolph Whig'' was established in 1836 or 1837 and discontinued shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/history/newspapers/paper-r.htm |title=Newspapers on Microfilm at TSLA |accessdate=2008-10-08 |work= |publisher=Tennessee State Library and Archives |date= }}</ref><ref name=PhelanHoT/>


In 2006, [[Mark Wahlberg]] attended sniper shooting classes at Front Sight to prepare for the 2007 movie [[Shooter (film)|Shooter]]<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/msn-vid.asp Mark Wahlberg interview]</ref>.
====Decline====
The fortunes of the community declined in the later 1840's and the 1850's due to many factors. Five years after Randolph was founded, a dispute over the ownership of the land the town was estabished on arose over a faulty [[land title]] with a land owner of [[New York]]. The residents of the community bought back the land their town was built on for $8,000 in a settlement. An unfavorable mail line also had an early and lasting negative influence on the fortunes of the town. When the mail route was established in 1829, it went from [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] to [[Jackson, Tennessee|Jackson]], [[Bolivar, Tennessee|Bolivar]], [[Somerville, Tennessee]], [[Raleigh, Memphis|Raleigh]] and ended in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]], but Randolph was left out. Failed [[railroad]] development further contributed to the demise of the town. In 1852, residents of Randolph unsuccessfully tried to move the county seat from [[Covington, Tennessee|Covington]] to Randolph.<ref name=TNencyclopedia/><ref name=CAmem/>


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.<ref>[http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4091067 A Gun and a Dream] KLAS TV report. Retrieved May 3, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.frontsightlitigation.com/ Front Sight Litigation] Attorney webpage. Retrieved May 3, 2007.</ref> A settlement was reached in 2007.
Financial depression and [[David Crockett]]'s failed attempt to cut a canal from the [[Hatchie River]] to the [[Tennessee River]] also were problems that had a negative impact on the future of commercial prosperity in Randolph. During the Civil War, the town was burt down twice, in 1862 and in 1865, discouraging many residents to re-build residences and businesses a second time. This contributed further to the declining fortunes of the community.<ref name=TNencyclopedia/><ref name=TNMarkers/>


On July 4, 2007, a person died while using a "Zip Line" from the rappelling tower. <ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/SafetyReports.asp?Action=ShowSingle&ID=6 Zip Line Fatality] Retrieved April 17, 2008.</ref> This is the only fatality that has occurred at Front Sight.
===Civil War===
Because of its strategic location on top of the second [[Chickasaw Bluff]] along the Mississippi River, two [[forts]] were built at Randolph in the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].
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 acre facility in Nevada.<ref>[http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2008/Mar-26-Wed-2008/news/20528202.html Pahrump Valley Times Article - March 2008]Retrieved April 5, 2008.</ref> Previously, the land on the facility was intended to be used for a housing development<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20000229230549/www.frontsight.com/facility.htm Las vegas Facility] Retrieved April 17, 2008.</ref> expected to be "the safest community in America", but due to the results of the 2006 class action lawsuit, the plans were changed.


{{USgunorgs}}
On January 20, 1861 the Memphis ''Appeal'' published a pro-[[secessionist]] proposal to build a fort in Randolph do defend Memphis from invaders.<ref>{{cite web |title="Pro-secessionist proposal to construct a fort at Randolph, Tennessee, on the Mississippi River" |url=http://tennessee.civilwarsourcebook.com/collection/1861-01/1861-01-Article-6-Page9.pdf |accessdate=October 5 |accessyear=2008}}</ref> In April 1861, Governor [[Isham G. Harris]] ordered Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Wright to establish a camp at Randolph and complete the fortification. About 5,000 troops from Tennessee, [[Arkansas]] and the [[Confederate States Army|Confederate Army]] were stationed at Randolph for the task. It took four months to fortify the bluff at Randolph with earthen defenses and artillery batteries to protect it from land attacks and from naval attacks. Fort Wright was the forwardmost defensive position on the Mississippi River until July 1861, it was abandoned by the Confederate infantry by 1862 but sporadically occupied by other southern forces during the Civil War.<ref name=TNencyFtWright>{{cite web |url=http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=F051 |title=TN Encyclopedia: Fort Wright |accessdate=2008-10-05 |work= |publisher=The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture |date= }}</ref> In 2008, only a powder magazine is left of Fort Wright.<ref name=TipCtyGuide/> Fort Randolph, a second fortification in the area, was located about {{convert|1|mi|km}} southwest of Fort Wright.<ref name=eachTown>{{cite web |url=http://www.eachtown.com/place.php/id/1646819 |title=Tennessee Places, Fort Randolph (historical) |accessdate=2008-10-07 |work= |publisher=eachTown.com |date= }}</ref> In 2008, Fort Randolph is no longer in existence.


==Activism==
[[Nathan Bedford Forrest]] (1821-1877) and [[Alexander P. Stewart]] (1821-1908) trained in Fort Wright, both would later become important figures in the rank of [[Lieutenant General (CSA)|Lieutenant General]] in the [[Confederate States Army|Confederate Army]] during the Civil War. Other future leaders in the [[Army of Tennessee]] and Forrest's cavalry received training at Fort Wright. The fort was Tennessee's first military training camp in which soldiers could gain experience in the construction of fortifications and the setup of artillery batteries to counter naval attacks. They could undertake defense drills and acquire general military skills and discipline. The soldiers who were trained at Fort Wright fought in battles on different battlefields later in the war, the [[Battle of Shiloh]], the [[Battle of Belmont]], the [[Battle of Murfreesboro]], the [[Battle of Chickamauga]], the [[Battle of Franklin]] and the [[Battle of Bentonville]].<ref name=TNencyFtWright/>


Front Sight's purpose is to "restore the second amendment"<ref>[http://www.survivalblog.com/ignatius-piazza/gun-ownership.html Survival Blog]</ref> by "positively affecting the image of gun ownership in our lifetime."
[[Union Army]] soldiers under the command of [[General William Tecumseh Sherman]] burnt down Randolph in 1862.<ref name=TNMarkers/> The town was burnt down a second time by federal soldiers in 1865.<ref name=TNencyclopedia/>


Since 2002, Front Sight has supported the [[Federal Flight Deck Officer]] Program<ref>[http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/ffdo.shtm FFDO Program]</ref>, offering gun training for pilots<ref>[http://www.secure-skies.org/Pilots_In_Cockpit.php Centennial Journal Article - 120000 Pilots Still Not Armed in the Cockpit]</ref>.
===Modern===
[[Agriculture]] is the dominant source of income in the area surrounding Randolph, especially the [[cultivation]] of [[cotton]].


Front Sight has also made the news after several school shootings offering firearms training for teachers.<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/news.asp?Action=ViewNews&ID=45 Sierra Times Article]</ref>
After the [[abolition of slavery]], [[sharecropping]] was the primary means of income for low income families in the area. Mostly for the [[Tillage|cultivation]] of [[cotton]], land would be used by [[sharecroppers]] in return for a share of the crop to the landowner. Modern machines such as the [[cotton picker]] have made the manual [[Tillage|cultivation]] obsolete over time as they took over the work from the [[manual labour|hand laborers]].
<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200103/NAT20010307b.html Cybercast News Article]</ref>. Front Sight offered free firearms training to three teachers per school.<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/news.asp?Action=ViewNews&ID=46 Courier Press Article]</ref>


Front Sight is supported by the [[Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership]], and the [[Gun Owners of America]]. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tm1OkTq2ps Video - JPFO, GOA Support]</ref> Front Sight also is supported by the Friends of the NRA<ref>[http://www.ignatius-piazza.com/charities/civil_liberties/FriendsofTheNRA.htm Friends of the NRA Letter] Retrieved April 15, 2008.</ref>.
In 2008, the community consists of about two dozen dwellings with no major industry or businesses present.


Also see [[Ignatius Piazza]].
==Geography and postal==
[[Image:Randolph_TN_scenic.jpg|thumb|The [[Mississippi River]] at Randolph]]
===Geography===
Randolph is located at 35° 30' 59" North, 89° 53' 19" West<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maplandia.com/united-states/tennessee/tipton-county/randolph/ |title=Randolph Map |accessdate=2008-10-01 |work= |publisher=MapLandia.com |date= }}</ref> on the banks of the Mississippi River. The elevation above sea level is 315 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]] (96 [[metre|m]]).<ref name=EPODUNK/>


==Training==
Cotton-fields and the [[Mississippi River]] [[bluffs]] dominate the rural landscape of the area. The community is located on top of the second [[Chickasaw Bluff]]. Randolph is situated on the southeastern edge of the [[New Madrid Seismic Zone]], an area with a high [[earthquake]] risk.


The majority of Front Sight courses involve firearms training, but there are many other classes available. Among the firearms courses offered are [[handgun]], [[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)<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/Courses.asp Front Sight Nevada course listing]</ref> and [[big game hunting]], [[bird]] hunting, [[fishing]], children's outdoors safety, [[kayak]]ing, and [[bear]] safety] (at Front Sight Alaska).<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/alaska/Training/index.asp Front Sight Alaska course listing]</ref>.
===Postal and telephone===
The Randolph Post Office was established in 1827, it was in operation until 1932.<ref>{{cite book |title=Notes on Randolph, TN |last=Wade |first=William J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1949 |publisher= |location=Memphis |isbn= |pages= |url= }}</ref>


Some of these classes are only available by invitation, or to those who have completed necessary prerequisite courses.
The U.S. [[ZIP Code]] for Randolph is 38015 ([[Burlison, Tennessee|Burlison, TN]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usps.com |title=USPS ZIP Code Lookup|accessdate=2008-10-02 |work= |publisher=United States Postal Service |date= }}</ref> and the telephone [[area code]] is 901 ([[Memphis metropolitan area|Memphis metro area]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allareacodes.com/tennessee_area_codes.htm#901 |title=Tennessee Area Codes |accessdate=2008-10-01 |work= |publisher=AllAreaCodes.com |date= }}</ref>


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.
==Notable natives==
* [[William Clyde Martin]] (died 1984) was a [[Bishop]] of three [[Methodist]] churches, born in Randolph [[28 July]] [[1893]].<ref>
{{cite book |title=Prominent Personalities in American Methodism |last=Howell |first=Clinton T. |year=1945 |publisher=The Lowry Press |location=Birmingham, Alabama |isbn= |pages= |url= }}</ref>


Approximately 10% of people attending a course at Front Sight become lifetime members.
==Historical locations==
{{coord|35.516|-89.889|display=title}}
* Fort Wright (historical) was at coordinates {{coord|35.521121|-89.887437}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tiptonco.com/dept_property.htm |title=Tipton County interactive mapping |accessdate=2008-10-07 |work= |publisher=Tipton County Assessor of Property |date= }}</ref>


===Membership===
* Fort Randolph (historical) was at coordinates {{coord|35.508330|-89.906670}}.<ref name=eachTown/>

Front Sight offers lifetime memberships in what is called the "First Family" with varying degrees of entitlement<ref>[http://www.frontsight.com/handgun-training-memberships.asp Membership Types]</ref>. 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.<ref>Ignatius Piazza's LinkedIn.com profile, retrieved April 17, 2008.</ref>

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 [[Independence Day (United States)|4th of July]] "reunion" every year.

===Other Services===
Transcripts of much of the first time attendee's classes have been turned into "Gun Training Reports" that are available on the website without cost when joining the non-exclusive mailing list.

"Dry Practice" manuals in ammunition-less home practice are available via the website. These are soft cover manuals with black and white photo illustrations.

Semi-weekly newsletters are sent through the general mailing list, with an initial period of daily gun training reports.

The "Front Sight Blog" is published every couple days. Every Monday's post is relevant to "gun ownership, firearms training or Second Amendment issues."<ref>[http://www.ignatius-piazza-front-sight.com/]</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Commons cat}}
{{reflist|2}}


{{reflist}}
{{Tipton County, Tennessee}}

{{Memphis, Tennessee}}
==External links==
* http://www.frontsight.com/
* http://www.ignatius-piazza.com/
* http://www.friendsofnra.org/


[[Category:Tipton County, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Rifle ranges]]
[[Category:Unincorporated communities in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Memphis metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Self-defense]]
[[Category:Survival skills]]
[[Category:Shooting sports]]
[[Category:Firearm safety]]

Revision as of 21:03, 10 October 2008

Front Sight
Firearms Training Institute
Company typePrivate
IndustryFirearms Training
FoundedBakersfield, California, U.S. (1996)
FounderIgnatius Piazza
HeadquartersLas Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
WebsiteFrontSight.com

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".

Locations

Originally, Front Sight was located near Bakersfield, California. [1] In 1998, a 550 acre 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.[2]

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 foot 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.[3]

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.[4]

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" [5]. In addition, over 120,000 students have attended classes so far in the history of the Institute.[6]

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. [7][8][9]

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.[10]

Since 1999, there have been seven self-inflicted gunshots wounds during instruction at Front Sight.[11]

Notable Events

Noted speaker and author on gun violence Lt. Col. Dave Grossman has also taken courses at Front Sight, having graduated from the Four Day Defensive Handgun course.[12]

In 2006, Mark Wahlberg attended sniper shooting classes at Front Sight to prepare for the 2007 movie Shooter[13].

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.[14][15] A settlement was reached in 2007.

On July 4, 2007, a person died while using a "Zip Line" from the rappelling tower. [16] 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 acre facility in Nevada.[17] Previously, the land on the facility was intended to be used for a housing development[18] expected to be "the safest community in America", but due to the results of the 2006 class action lawsuit, the plans were changed.

Activism

Front Sight's purpose is to "restore the second amendment"[19] by "positively affecting the image of gun ownership in our lifetime."

Since 2002, Front Sight has supported the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program[20], offering gun training for pilots[21].

Front Sight has also made the news after several school shootings offering firearms training for teachers.[22] [23]. Front Sight offered free firearms training to three teachers per school.[24]

Front Sight is supported by the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, and the Gun Owners of America. [25] Front Sight also is supported by the Friends of the NRA[26].

Also see Ignatius Piazza.

Training

The majority of Front Sight courses involve firearms training, but there are many other classes available. Among the firearms courses offered are handgun, 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)[27] and big game hunting, bird hunting, fishing, children's outdoors safety, kayaking, and bear safety] (at Front Sight Alaska).[28].

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.

Membership

Front Sight offers lifetime memberships in what is called the "First Family" with varying degrees of entitlement[29]. 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.[30]

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.

Other Services

Transcripts of much of the first time attendee's classes have been turned into "Gun Training Reports" that are available on the website without cost when joining the non-exclusive mailing list.

"Dry Practice" manuals in ammunition-less home practice are available via the website. These are soft cover manuals with black and white photo illustrations.

Semi-weekly newsletters are sent through the general mailing list, with an initial period of daily gun training reports.

The "Front Sight Blog" is published every couple days. Every Monday's post is relevant to "gun ownership, firearms training or Second Amendment issues."[31]

References

  1. ^ Web Archive Snapshot - Front Sight in Bakersfield
  2. ^ A 'Sun City' for Gun Enthusiasts New York Times Article retrieved April 5, 2008.
  3. ^ Original plans for Pahrump facility expansion Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  4. ^ Front Sight Alaska
  5. ^ Front Sight Promotion - >10,000 students.Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  6. ^ Front Sight members mass e-mail sent February 21, 2008, which stated "...and you know we have proven with 123,657 students over the last 12 years that Front Sight provides the best firearms training courses in the industry..."
  7. ^ Front Sight monthly report January 1998
  8. ^ Free Submachine Gun Course June 2000
  9. ^ Free Submachine Gun Course August 2002
  10. ^ Small Arms Review Article Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  11. ^ Unintentional Gunshot Wounds Retrieved April 17, 2008.
  12. ^ Front Sight members mass e-mail sent March 25, 2008, which stated "As you can see from his message [included in the mass e-mail], Lt. Col. Grossman is a great friend of Front Sight. He is also a graduate of our Four Day Defensive Handgun course."
  13. ^ Mark Wahlberg interview
  14. ^ A Gun and a Dream KLAS TV report. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
  15. ^ Front Sight Litigation Attorney webpage. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
  16. ^ Zip Line Fatality Retrieved April 17, 2008.
  17. ^ Pahrump Valley Times Article - March 2008Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  18. ^ Las vegas Facility Retrieved April 17, 2008.
  19. ^ Survival Blog
  20. ^ FFDO Program
  21. ^ Centennial Journal Article - 120000 Pilots Still Not Armed in the Cockpit
  22. ^ Sierra Times Article
  23. ^ Cybercast News Article
  24. ^ Courier Press Article
  25. ^ Video - JPFO, GOA Support
  26. ^ Friends of the NRA Letter Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  27. ^ Front Sight Nevada course listing
  28. ^ Front Sight Alaska course listing
  29. ^ Membership Types
  30. ^ Ignatius Piazza's LinkedIn.com profile, retrieved April 17, 2008.
  31. ^ [1]

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Randolph,_Tennessee&oldid=244445618"