Kansas Gun Shop Fills Carry Classes For A Year

posted on February 18, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

In response to President Barak Obama’s town hall meeting following his executive action on gun control, a Wichita, Kan., gun store owner decided to provide concealed-carry classes free of charge. 

Ryan Pennock, owner of Thunderbird Firearms Academy, also wanted to give Kansans a chance to educate themselves on guns for free since many people are new to gun ownership. 

According to Pennock, the majority of those signing up are new to guns. “I think that the response we saw and the time frame we saw it in indicates to you that there’s an awful lot of worried people out there,” he told radio station KWCH. The free courses, which were previously offered for $100, are now sold out all the way through the end of 2016.

Latest

William A. Bachenberg
William A. Bachenberg

President’s Column | Getting You Up to Speed

A lot of things have occurred over the past month or so that not all members are completely aware of. I’ll use my column this month to update you on some important issues—transparency.

Standing Guard | The NRA Gathers to Celebrate Our Freedom

The momentum we’re seeing across the country is both encouraging and energizing. January opened with tremendous activity at the NRA booth during SHOT Show, where members, industry partners and supporters stopped by to connect, share ideas and reaffirm their commitment to freedom and the Second Amendment.

The Armed Citizen® February 18, 2026

A man in his 70s was in his home in Jacksonville, Fla., shortly after lunchtime on Nov. 18, 2025, when an intruder broke in through a back window and demanded his keys and valuables.

The “L” in NRA-ILA Refers to Legislation, But Litigation is also Critically Important

Latest legislative news from inside the NRA Institute for Legislative Action

Video Interview: Buck Sexton Calls Gun Control a “Manufactured Delusion”

Buck Sexton, the radio host and author, has a new book out titled Manufacturing Delusion—How the Left Uses Brainwashing, Indoctrination, And Propaganda Against You. As Sexton is an ardent Second Amendment advocate and an NRA-certified firearms instructor, we decided to ask him if gun control is a manufactured delusion.

President’s Column | NRA 2.0 Transformations

As reported on Oct. 31, 2025, the NRA announced a major internal reorganization to modernize and increase efficiencies. This reorganization marked the first step in our effort to modernize and improve operations.

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.