Ignatius Piazza
Dr. Ignatius "Naish" Piazza (born 1960) is the founder and director of the Front Sight Firearms Training Institute in Pahrump, Nevada. He lives near Santa Cruz, California.
Biography
Piazza grew up in Pleasanton, California and attended Livermore High School, where he was a varsity athlete[1]. He later became a doctor of chiropractic and owned a practice in California.
In lectures and presentations, he relates the story of the evening his home was the target of a random drive-by shooting. Escaping injury, he realized that the firearms he owned did him little good as he had no real training in their use. He made the decision to become the best he could be in the defensive use of his firearms, and wanted to teach others how to do the same.[2] Ultimately, this led to his founding of Front Sight near Bakersfield, California in 1996, to "positively change the image of gun ownership in our lifetime".
In 1998, his concept expanded to include a complete "world-class" resort, like a "Disneyland for gun enthusiasts" and a town, Front Sight, Nevada, envisioned as "the safest community in America"[3]. Since this time, he has been working to build this resort about 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. His efforts have been covered by local news and gun enthusiast periodicals, but notably have received international exposure as well in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, BBC, Playboy Magazine, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, CNN, Washington Post, Forbes, and a piece by Diane Sawyer.[4]
Piazza established a philanthropic project called Helping Those Who Help Others. The goal of this project is to focus on and contribute to charities with a proven track record, similar to a charitable trust. A list of charities which have been supported can be found at the project homepage.
In 2003, Piazza produced a documentary entitled Innocents Betrayed.[5] The purpose of this documentary was to show the point of view that, historically, gun control has been used to disarm populations for the purpose of government sponsored genocide.
In 2006, Piazza created and began producing the reality television series Front Sight Challenge, airing on the Versus Network.[6]
Through Front Sight, Piazza was involved in preparing actor Mark Wahlberg for his role in the 2007 film Shooter.[7]
Controversies
Piazza has occasionally been a controversial figure.
Political activism
Piazza is involved with the Gun Owners of America (GOA) and provides free training to GOA life members.[8]He is also a life member of Keepandbeararms.com[9] and the NRA although he disagrees with some of the NRA's methods and certain positions on some issues.[10][11] For instance, Piazza does not agree that the message of gun ownership should be watered down by claiming that guns are only for hunting, a claim to which anti-gun activists may respond by asking why someone needs an AK-47 to shoot a deer; he believes that the simple and honest message that firearm ownership is protected by the 2nd Amendment is enough (reference: Front Sight promotional DVD, 2005).
Arming pilots
Piazza was among the first to respond to the September 11, 2001 attacks with suggestions on how to prevent this type of event from happening in the future. His proposed solution was to arm all airplane pilots, and to this end he promised free training to all airline pilots in his "Arm Our Pilots Campaign".[12][13][14] At the time this was viewed incredulously in some circles[15], but has become a more plausible response in political discourse with the passage of time.[16] Piazza takes pride in being a leader in promoting this type of answer to violence and terrorism (reference: Front Sight promotional DVD, 2005).
Arming school employees
In April 1999, in response to the Columbine High School massacre, Piazza announced that free firearms training would be offered for up to three teachers or administrators at any school in the United States.[17]
In April 2007, in response to the Virginia Tech massacre, Piazza announced that free firearms training would be offered to any teacher, administrator, or other school staff member designated as school safety monitor.[18][19]
Arming students
In 2007, University of Utah lifted the ban on students carrying concealed weapons. In support of this, Piazza announced that a free 5-day course on carrying and using a concealed handgun would be offered to every student there. Having taken this course and received a concealed carry permit, any Utah student would be able to carry concealed in 30 US states due to reciprocity laws. Furthermore, the student's diploma from the university would carry the designation CWP. Piazza stated, "If our university students are old enough to fight for our freedom and die in Iraq with a machine gun in their hands, then with Front Sight’s responsible training under their belts, they are certainly old enough and intelligent enough to carry a concealed handgun on college campuses to protect themselves, classmates, and faculty from the next homicidal and suicidal psych drug failure." [20]
Civilian deputyship
Piazza was previously granted a special deputyship by the Nye County, Nevada sheriff, a fairly common practice in rural counties. This commission was rescinded in light of new county laws by newly elected county sheriff Tony DeMeo in 2003.[21]
Litigation
In 2002, he sued former Front Sight instructor Dean Gamburd for claims against his person. The case was apparently settled.[22][23]
In 2002, he sued Diana Hsieh for claims against his person. The case was settled out of court.[24]
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.[25][26] A settlement has been proposed.[27]
Scientology
Piazza has been associated with Scientology[24][28], and has reportedly reached the level of "Clear". [29] He considers himself to be a Catholic and not an active Scientologist, but does use some of the business strategies and ideas of L. Ron Hubbard in his endeavors.[28]
References
- ^ Oakland Tribune August 8, 2005. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ Front Sight About page. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ The Osgood File Transcript from broadcast. October 31, 2001 and July 9, 2002.
- ^ Front Sight In The News Numerous interviews and press pieces dating back to 1998. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ Innocents Betrayed IMDB page.
- ^ Versus Front Sight Challenge.
- ^ Mark Wahlberg Interview
- ^ GOA Life Membership: Front Sight Training Special
- ^ Why Does the NRA Refuse to Support Front Sight?
- ^ Why Does the NRA Refuse to Support Front Sight? Letter by Dr. Piazza. June 20, 2000. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ Has the NRA Gone Soft? World Net Daily. June 14, 2000.
- ^ Free Gun Training For Commercial Pilots Press release. September 2001.
- ^ World Net Daily September 19, 2001.
- ^ Fort Worth Star-Telegram September 19, 2001.
- ^ The Neal Boortz Show October 5, 2001.
- ^ Airline Pilots Security Alliance 120,000 Pilots Still Not Armed in the Cockpit. March 2004.
- ^ World Net Daily May 18, 1999.
- ^ Gun School For Teachers April 23, 2007.
- ^ World Net Daily April 28, 2007.
- ^ Red Pills: Cognitive Candy May 3, 2007.
- ^ Pahrump Valley Times January 13, 2006. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ October 23, 2002 posting from Dean Gamburd Reposted. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ Front Sight bulletin "Total victory" claimed in Gamburd case. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ a b Diana Hsieh blog "details of settlement are confidential". Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ A Gun and a Dream KLAS TV report. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ Front Sight Litigation Attorney webpage. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ Proposed Final Judgment and Order of Dismissal With Prejudice US District Court, Northern California, San Jose Division. Case No. C05-04532JW. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ a b Stop WISE Front Sight & Ignatius Piazza II vs. Diana Hsieh. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
- ^ Advance 138 (Scientology publication)