Live at NRA 2025: Ken Campbell of Gunsite Academy Shares Training Mastery on On The Range Podcast

Ken joins On The Range Podcast during the inaugural NRA Voices of the Second Amendment - Atlanta

Direct from NRA 2025 Atlanta Voices of the Second Amendment

Step into the premier podcast for tactical growth: On The Range Podcast, guiding you to be 1% better daily with expert talks and real insights. This episode transports you to the 2025 NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta for the inaugural Voices of the Second Amendment, where hosts Rick Hogg (War HOGG Tactical founder, 29-year US Army Special Ops vet with 13 deployments) and Mark Kelley (Kelley Defense founder, US Army vet and 31-year LEO) interviewed Ken Campbell, CEO of Gunsite Academy. A retired sheriff and instructor since 1992, Ken offers profound knowledge, making this a top listen for firearms aficionados.

Episode Overviews from Top Platforms

Sourced from descriptions on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Make Ready TV, this episode centers on Gunsite's transformative training. Apple positions it as delving into "Jeff Cooper's philosophy and carbine mastery," YouTube showcases demo clips for visual learners, and Make Ready TV integrates it into their expert content, highlighting leadership and pressure performance. Ken discussed Gunsite as the "Mothership" of instruction, blending history with modern applications.

Ken's Background: From Sheriff to CEO

Ken kicked off with his story, transitioning from sheriff duties to Gunsite instructor in 1992, then CEO in 2019. "Gunsite stands as the pinnacle of firearms education," he shared, per episode notes. His expertise spans diverse audiences, from competition shooters to military pros, with courses evolving from Jeff Cooper's foundations. The Gunsite academy training now offers over varied programs, emphasizing mindset and skill for real scenarios.

Exploring Jeff Cooper's Core Teachings

Rick and Mark explored Jeff Cooper's impact, with Ken detailing the "modern technique" and awareness codes. "It's about more than marksmanship—it's a lifestyle mindset," Ken explained, including recoil management and sight alignment in drills from pistols to rifles. Listeners get vivid breakdowns of shotgun courses and urban tactics, all from home via the podcast's engaging format. The live setting sparked audience queries on hybrid training with gear like slings.

Accessibility in Elite Training at Gunsite Academy

Accessibility shone through, with Ken noting Gunsite's inclusivity for all levels. "No ammo shortages or range limits here—focus on building skills safely," he said, supporting our goal of empowering listeners. Tactical perks for LEOs include de-escalation, while operators gain muscle memory. Future plans? Enhanced courses and multiplayer simulations, drawing from Rick's combat experience and Mark's LEO insights.

Second Amendment and Responsible Ownership

Broadening to advocacy, the Voices event framed discussions on training's role in rights preservation. Amid NRA crowds, Ken highlighted safe practices fostering responsibility. He shared instructor tales showing VR-like prep for chaos, with hosts adding notebook tips for improvement.

Audience Reactions and Engagement

YouTube feedback loves visuals, Apple lauds portability, Make Ready values instruction. We ended with actions: enroll at Gunsite, join "CREW" for bonuses, subscribe for reviews and guests.

Embodying the Podcast's Core Values

This episode captures On The Range's essence: community, advancement, innovation. Ken's guidance motivates all shooters. Stream on Apple for audio, YouTube for video, Make Ready for immersion. Head to ontherangepodcast.com—be 1% better today.