I’m 75 years old today. 

So far, the cardinal advantage of that landmark seems to be that I don’t have to take my shoes off when I go through airport security. Yay. Bending over to re-tie shoelaces isn’t as easy as it used to be.

The big advantage, of course, is that I’m still on the sunny side of the grass.  And still working.

More than seventy years pulling triggers (my dad started me at age four with a .22 rifle), more than half a century as a firearms/deadly force instructor (started teaching cops in 1972, law-abiding armed citizens in 1981), expert witness for the courts in related matters since 1979, a couple of years as co-vice chair of the Forensic Evidence Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, forty-some years as a fully-sworn part-time cop, nineteen years as chair of the Firearms/Deadly Force Training Committee of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, a like period and counting on the Advisory Board of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, and member of the Advisory Board of the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network since its inception. Decades on the Board of Trustees of the Second Amendment Foundation and a couple of years as president of that organization. And, oh yeah, some articles and books and training films and such.

On the personal side, two wonderful adult daughters, some great stepkids, and several grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, not to mention two wonderful wives who both made my life better.

People ask me when I’m going to retire, and I answer, “Why retire from something I love?”

It’s been a fun ride, and I’m glad to still be in motion … and I’m grateful to all of you readers for sharing that ride.

111 COMMENTS

  2. Happy Birthday. May the both of us keep on keeping on. I haven’t flown in quite awhile, I didn’t realize you could get an age waiver for the shoe removal. How’s that work? Silver/white hair (check) or Codger Card?

  4. Happy birthday to a true, American icon.

    You may have gotten gifts for your birthday, but all of us got the gift of having you in our lives for another year.

    We are truly blessed.

    Christine

  5. Happy Birthday, Mas! Thank you for all the knowledge and education you have imparted to us throughout the years.

  8. Happy Birthday to you!!! You’ve been a part of my “Firearms and Commen Sense Reality Education” for a long time!! and I thank you! have a wonderful day!

  11. I feel your pain. I turned 75 in March. To add insult to injury, I just finished chemo for b-cell lymphoma yesterday. This is the first day of the rest of my life.

    I hope you never used Roundup. It is being blamed for a bunch of kinds of cancer.

  14. Happy Birthday Mas. Hope you have many more. They say that if
    you have a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. I’m
    happy you don’t have to work. I’ve enjoyed your articles and videos
    for more years than I care to remember and would miss you if you
    ever retired.
    Dano

  18. Happiest of birthdays my friend. It has been my privilege to know you all these years and I look forward to many more. You have enriched the lives of so many with your knowledge and wisdom and continue to do so.
    Sending you a virtual hug on your special day…..
    Happy Birthday !!!!!

  21. We are all so much better off for your efforts and examples through the years. I will stop off on my way home tonight for a cold bottle of rocks today and raise a toast you. Happy Birthday Mas.

  22. Happy Birthday Mas!

    It’s been a honor and a pleasure training with you over the years.

    May the best of your past be the worst of your future!

    -Tim

  23. Happy Birthday, Mas!
    We’re blessed to have you share your knowledge and expertise with us.

  24. Congratulations Mas on your special day. May it be a memorable one. I join you by celebrating my wife’s 75th birthday and our wedding anniversary. As I sit on the deck later I raise my glass to the two of you. Gods blessings and enjoy many more.

  26. Happy Birthday, Mas. Great resume. The best GDU classes I ever had were the MAG-40 and MAG-80 at FAS in Onalaska. Keep ‘em coming.

  28. Happy Birthday, from someone who is only a couple of years behind you. Keep writing…that’s something you can do for the duration, even if you have to give up other things. Your books and articles have inspired me to be a happy Berettaholic and get trained as an instructor. In one of my past lives I was a magazine editor, and I would have bought your stuff in a heartbeat. You connect with your readers.

  31. Have a great day and many thanks for all the info you share and the countless articles and books of yours I’ve read through the years

  33. Happy Birthday Mas. Thanks for all the knowledge and wisdom you have imparted to us over the years.

  36. Happy Birthday, Mas!

    Seventy-five, huh? I didn’t think people lived that long…

    But, since I’m nearly 77, I guess it’s so! LOL!

    Many happy returns!

  37. Blessings on you, Mas!
    Our deep thanks for all you have done, and continue to do!
    So glad you love doing stuff that’s so important to our greatest nation: America!
    May you serve America and the Lord for many more years to come!
    Be well, Piet & Mary

  38. Happy Birthday Mas. You forgot pin shooter extraordinaire and Rolling Rock connoisseur. I’m still hope to read a summary of this year’s Pin Shoot.

  42. You have done much in a life well lived. I have long appreciated the wisdom you so freely impart. In a world where wealth comes from doing, not having, you have become a very rich man.

  44. Happy Birthday Mas. Been following you almost since my USMC days, 74-78. Wishing you all the best.

  46. Happy Birthday, Mas! Say, is that photo Gail’s work? If so, I’d say it’s a masterpiece!

    Best Wishes to both of you!

    -Sam & Bonnie Young

  47. Happy Birthday. Perhaps you have lived so long because you have done so much to help so many others? Thank you so very much.

  49. Happy Birthday Mass. I too am in my 70’s so I do know about aches/pains and trying to tie shoes.
    Thank you so much for all of your articles and insights for: gun laws, court precedings, training classes etc. I have read all of your books and have learned a lot.

  50. Many more healthy and happy ones Mas.
    And thanks again for all your help over the “many” years. Cheers!

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