I started shooting long guns and handguns with my father when I was probably 10 years old. My father was a collector and I had the chance to shoot a lot of really cool guns. In my later teens I got away from shooting and it came back up again when my wife wanted to get her pistol permit.
I was raised around firearms. I have always loved being outdoors, hunting and fishing. My dad taught me how to safely handle firearms at an early age. As soon as I turned 21 I got a pistol permit and bought my first handgun. I developed an interest in training during my career as an officer in the NYS Dept of Corrections where I got certified to teach various in-service topics.
You’re safe until you’re not. I have always believed that in one form or another. What does that mean? For a lot of people, their comfort exists because of many factors. They live in a low crime area, they work at a relatively safe job, etc. That means that their exposure to an incident is lower than someone that does not live or work in a safer than average place. I learned a long time ago the denial is a soft fuzzy blanket that we wrap ourselves in. That blanket provides no safety or security. Denial is an unsafe state of mind to exist in. Danger does exist. There are predators among us that will take every opportunity to do whatever it is they want, when they want, to whomever they want. All they need is the chance. We strive to train you to be aware, be prepared, and be able to be safe. You’re safe until you’re not. Think about it, then do something about it. We can help.
Born and raised in the Southern Tier of Western New York, Granddaughter of a hunter sportsman on one side of the family and a WWII Normandy Vet, career firefighter and licensed gun dealer on the other, firearms were never glorified or vilified. They were a tool. We were raised to be self-reliant, patient and respectful. To have perseverance in obtaining an objective and to minimize fear and anxiety by increasing our awareness of the world around us and how to interact in it with confidence. We were taught to approach areas of concern in a levelheaded, practical way rather than succumbing to irrational unsubstantiated fears.
I was not raised around firearms, in fact, just the opposite. My family believed there are others that we rely on to provide the blanket of protection that we sleep beneath. I decided that I want to be responsible for providing that protection and not reliant upon others. In my book, proper firearms training is a skill that everyone should possess. No different than learning to swim, driving standard, or a martial art.
I participated in NRA 3-position rifle matches in high school which was long before the Internet. During 2020, I had a bit more time to reflect on getting back into the sport and expanding into pistol craft. As part of my duties at Baldwinsville Rod & Gun Club, I took RPD’s range officer training and was immediately convinced this is where I would conduct my pistol training. What began as learning the basics of using the “tool” evolved into a mindset of more personal responsibility for my own safety and that of my family. Being accepted into and completing the Handgun Master Program in 2022 was a force multiplier for my learning experience and led me the opportunity to be an instructor. I learned as an IT instructor the best way to continually learn a subject is to teach it. I look forward to working with clients with their marksmanship skills.
Hi. I became introduced to firearms in my late teens (a long time ago) when I started varmint hunting with two of my good friends and their father. Living in a rural community I progressed into a variety of hunting experiences and established wonderful friendships with many people of good moral and ethical standards. This lead myself into trying some handgun shooting sports in the mid 70’s and I have been hooked ever since. As a young adult I quickly learned that not everyone I would come into contact with throughout my life held themselves to the same moral standards and would not hesitate to take advantage of me or my family if I allowed it. It was at this junction in life I started carrying concealed and increased my awareness of life situations that could bring danger my way and avoided them where ever possible.
Like many others my life with shooting began at my family hunting camp with my father, a .22 rifle, and some soda cans. While I have enjoyed all aspects of shooting since then, it was when I got my pistol permit that I found a true love and passion for shooting. My mindset about personal protection changed and I decided to become proactive with a sheepdog mentality. I took the Defensive Pistols Skills 101 class taught by Wendy and Chris.
I grew up shooting BB guns. It was not until my late teens that I handled my first real firearms. My uncle took me shooting for the first time; I tried his rifle, shotgun and pistol. Soon after that, I purchased my first rifle. I spent the next few years target shooting and eventually started shooting trap. I got my pistol permit in my twenties and started shooting with friends. Most of my early firearm education came from friends who were in law enforcement or the military.
I have always been interested in self-defense and as a kid I read many books and articles and tried to learn these skills thru them. At Aquinas High School, I fought in the Mission Bouts, known to many as Golden Gloves. Also while in High School I became interested in The Martial Arts and studied Karate for a few years here in Rochester. My dad had firearms but we only spent a few times together shooting woodchucks or walking fields hunting pheasants. It was not until after being drafted into the Army in 1967 that I had a serious introduction to firearms.
I was introduced to the World of shooting at a young age by my Grandfather. At 8 years old he took me with him to the local shooting club and taught me firearms safety, using a pellet rifle and then a .22. When I turned 13 my Grandfather gave me one of my most prize possessions, a Marlin 39A, .22 Rifle. From this early age I have been involved in shooting and learning about Firearms use and History.
Married 32 years, 3 adult children Firearms, Soccer, Skiing, Beekeeping
I was never involved with any type of defensive training or firearms training growing up. I was fortunate enough to become introduced to defensive shooting by my ex-husband, and we found a defensive pistol shoot, run by Dave and his father Stu, on Tuesday nights and attended as often as we could. I was immediately drawn to the format of this event, and I have been a Range Officer on Tuesday night now for three years. Once involved in the defensive pistol sports, I realized that you need more answers to life threatening situations than just a gun. So, with that thought, my interest in unarmed self defense increased as well.
