On March 15, the Safety Association for Firearm Education and Training (SAFET) of Westchester County, New York presented a live fire firearms training class, led by Carl Albanese, an NRA-Certified instructor and founder of SAFET. The class was hosted by ANJRPC and the Tenafly Rifle & Pistol Club as part of the Association’s continuing effort to support the rights of law-abiding citizens to learn about the shooting sports and firearms ownership.

The class was the first of its kind for Westchester County women. The handgun laws in Westchester County prohibit live fire training for anyone who has not obtained a handgun license. Carl Albanese chose Tenafly because live fire training is permitted in New Jersey prior to obtaining a handgun license, and because both ANJRPC and Tenafly have shown a strong commitment to firearms education and training. The class focused on safety, education, training and responsible recreational shooting and firearm ownership for women.

The course also addressed the unsafe firearms licensing procedures in New York state and Westchester County, New York. “Westchester residents face many safety concerns, including confusing firearms licensing procedures, obstacles to firearms education and the unsafe live fire training restrictions,” said Albanese. “How is someone supposed to know enough to get a handgun license or purchase a gun if she or he has never handled one?” Concerned about safety and responding to the requests of potential students, Albanese scheduled the class for New Jersey. He invited members of the press as well as elected representatives.

Thirteen students attended the class, nine from Westchester County and four from New Jersey. Two husbands attended to support their wives. Two students were from the media and one, Candyce Corcoran, was a Westchester County legislative candidate who lost her race against an incumbent in the most recent election. Other elected representatives declined the invitation. A press photographer was there to take photos.

Throughout the day, the 13 NRA-Certified instructors who volunteered their time emphasized safety and created a friendly and supportive atmosphere where students, particularly those from the media, could have their questions answered and get a realistic picture of what responsible firearms ownership is all about. And as always happens, as the students got to know their firearms, they realized just how much fun shooting can be!

Guest speakers at lunch included Robee VanNorman, the Shooter’s Committee on Political Education (SCOPE) representative for New York State; Diane McKeough, representing Armed Females of America, Peggy Hodgkiss and Mike Bodner of the ANRJPC Training Committee, and Carl Albanese, SAFET founder and chief instructor.

Instructors who volunteered their time and expertise in the classroom and on the range were: Mike DiPalma, Adam Levin, Bill Altrath, Carl Albanese and Anthony Alampi, who also served as range officer. Range instructors also included Dorsey Harrington, Donte Lopez, Beth Tagliabue, John Nicolai, Judy Wozniak, Don Jost, Marilyn Lapidus and Mary Youngquist. The Association is grateful to one and all for giving up their Saturdays!

After it was over, the students from Westchester County went home with certificates showing that they had successfully completed the training course. They also went home with an education in safe firearms handling and an introduction to the great sport of shooting.

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