The Pink Pistols, an international organization dedicated to the legal, safe and responsible use of firearms, has multiple chapters across the United States and Canada. The group honors diversity and welcomes all shooters into the sport, with a key focus of their mission to build bridges and raise awareness between the shooting community and other communities, such as alternative sexualities.
A new chapter, the Pink Pistols of the Twin Tiers, held their inaugural classes in Owego, N.Y. in early December at the Tioga County Sportsmen’s Association (TCSA), located at 1141 Carmichael Rd. in Owego, N.Y. The chapter serves the southern tier of New York from Elmira to Oneonta, with Binghamton and Owego chosen as central locations for training. Should national reciprocity for pistol permits be honored in the future in New York and Pennsylvania, the Pink Pistols of the Twin Tiers hopes to engage interested individuals from the northern tier of Pennsylvania.
Pink Pistols of the Twin Tiers, open to the LGBTQ community, women and other individuals feeling vulnerable for various reasons, provides classroom education and firearms training. In the future, Pink Pistols of the Twin Tiers plans to introduce unarmed self-defense education classes and training.
According to the national Pink Pistols website, pinkpistols.org, following the Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016, where 49 people lost their lives in a mass shooting by an armed individual carrying multiple weapons, the Pink Pistols organization experienced a considerable increase in requests on how to start new chapters.
Russell Swanger of the Pink Pistols of the Twin Tiers explained that a family member brought forward concerns that inspired him to research and reach out to start the new chapter.
“Our first classes were very successful,” Swanger shared, and added, “The next sessions are scheduled in April.”
Pink Pistols of the Twin Tiers, which has adopted the Pink Pistols national motto, “Pick on someone your own caliber,” has scheduled “Beginner Firearms Training: Safety, Legality and Liability” on April 19 and 20, 2017.
Swanger commented, “For individuals who have never been active in shooting, the Pink Pistols is a good place to start.”
Newark Valley resident Kendra McMahon attended the December classes offered by the Pink Pistols of the Twin Tiers. McMahon explained that she was not only interested in the hands-on training, but also wanted to better understand the responsibility attached to gun ownership.
McMahon shared, “My grandfather and my father were gun owners, so I’ve been around them.”
McMahon further explained that with the support of her husband, she wanted to take classes to familiarize herself with all aspects of safety and ownership. McMahon followed up by attending a re-cap session on Dec. 14, which reviewed safety, legality and personal responsibility.
Swanger thanks the TCSA for opening their doors and providing detailed knowledge, and also thanks instructor and indoor range safety officer Jimmy Gee for offering his time and experience at the classes.
Gee, from Newark Valley and a U.S. Army veteran, is retired and has spent numerous years providing training and instruction, such as in hunter education and 4-H. Gee’s background also includes traveling with an Army team who competed in what he calls “friendly competition” events in Panama, England and elsewhere.
Regarding the Pink Pistols training, Gee shared, “It’s all about learning the safety, but also having fun.”
Current TCSA President, Phil Berghorn, who has been part of the organization for over 20 years explained that education for new shooters is extremely important and is pleased that a Pink Pistols chapter has been formed in the area.
For more information about the Pink Pistols of the Twin Tiers, including upcoming classes, follow them on Facebook.
Thanks for your support !