The American Pistol Institute - API for short - was founded in 1976 by Colonel Jeff Cooper with the goal of bringing defensive handgun education to the common person. The school's early success brought the introduction of new courses featuring rifle and shotguns education, causing the name of the school to be switched to Gunsite, which remains its name to this day. The American Pistol Institute is a testament to American ingenuity, innovation, and grit in a time where shooting schools were nonexistant. At jeffcooperbooks, our goal with this apparel is to honor and preserve the origins of one of the most world renowned shooting schools.