Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation Contributes $25,000 to Firearms Research Center at UW

The Firearms Research Center (FRC) at the University of Wyoming College of Law has received a $25,000 contribution from the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation to support work that reflects Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper's lifelong commitment to teaching, writing and elevating public understanding of responsible gun ownership.

Founded in honor of Jeff Cooper, the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation advances programs that reflect his commitment to civic engagement. His work shaped contemporary firearms instruction and helped define large parts of the modern firearms culture through decades of writing, leadership and teaching.

"The Jeff Cooper Foundation is proud to support the Firearms Research Center's commitment to elevating the conversation around firearms and the Second Amendment," says Lindy Cooper Wisdom, Cooper's daughter and president of the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation. "Col. Cooper believed in the importance of education, and the FRC's work continues the legacy he devoted his life to advancing."

George Mocsary, director of the FRC and a professor in UW's College of Law, underscores the significance of the gift.

"Jeff Cooper's influence on American firearms culture is undeniable," Mocsary says. "Through decades of essays and commentary, Cooper modeled how firearms could be discussed seriously, responsibly and accessibly, which are principles that continue to guide the Firearms Research Center's public-facing work today.

"To have support from the foundation bearing his name is deeply meaningful to our work. This contribution will help bring thoughtful, historically grounded firearms education to broader audiences so that students, instructors, civic leaders and the public can engage in more informed and productive conversations about firearms and the Second Amendment."

Ashley Hlebinsky, executive director of the FRC and one of the nation's leading firearms historians, emphasizes the alignment between Cooper's legacy and the center's mission.

"Col. Cooper championed education and made history himself," Hlebinsky says. "This contribution directly supports our efforts to make high-quality historical and legal resources accessible to all. We are honored by the foundation's support and grateful for their confidence in our center."

About the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation

The Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation was established to honor Cooper's legacy as a United States Marine, educator, author and founder of the American Pistol Institute. The foundation supports educational and training programs focused on safety, responsibility, marksmanship and informed civic participation. Learn more at https://www.jeffcooperfoundation.org.

About the Firearms Research Center

Established in 2023, the Firearms Research Center at UW is a nonpartisan research institution with a mission to promote education, constitutional literacy and legal-historical scholarship regarding the Second Amendment. It regularly hosts conferences and webinars; provides digital learning resources to the public; publishes original research; and maintains a group of academic fellows with wide-ranging beliefs. The center also partners with law enforcement and other public health agencies to educate on firearms safety and suicide prevention. For more information, visit https://www.firearmsresearchcenter.org.