In 1976, Cooper founded the American Pistol Institute (API) in Paulden, Arizona (later the Gunsite Training Center). Cooper began teaching shotgun and rifle classes to both law enforcement and military personnel, as well as civilians, and did on-site training for individuals and groups from around the world.

Shortly after his facility opened, Jeff Cooper took part in a news piece about the civilian side of his firearm training facility, one that garnered a lot of local and later national attention. Although such trainers such as John Farnam were traveling the country at the time teaching civilians at small private ranges and clubs as well, Cooper was the first to have such a dedicated facility of this magnitude that catered to non-law enforcement individuals.

As any serious martial artist can trace his teacher's lineage, I like many others can give credit and thanks to Jeff Cooper, regardless of how techniques have grown and changed. My own first formal training with handguns came by the way of Tom Givens, of Rangemaster in Memphis, TN. Tom was an early and heavily recurring student of Jeff Cooper, both in his law enforcement days and later as one who owns and still operates a private firearm training facility.

However countless many may be familiar with his four rules of firearms safety, however countless many may be familiar with the Combat Mindset as put forth by the Cooper Color codes in his work Principles of Personal Defense, very few ever had the opportunity to hear him speak before his passing in 2006.

I feel lucky to have the opportunity to share this video with you today, if for the very reason you get to hear it from the "horse's mouth."