Pistol Basics 101

PistolBasics101 is an NRA-certified firearms safety instruction business run by Joe Alati, a retired instructor who's been teaching handgun safety courses since the early 2000s. Over 1,500 students have completed his classes in Herkimer, Madison, Lewis, and Oneida counties.

Joe teaches the mandatory 18-hour Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA) training required by New York State for new pistol permits. The class breaks down into:

• •16-hour classroom portion: Covers firearm safety, state laws, self-defense law, secure storage, handling procedures, and more. Heavy emphasis on student participation and real-world scenarios. Classes include frequent breaks and are designed to not be boring.
• •2-hour live-fire assessment: Students shoot 5 rounds at a 12' target using either UTM (Ultimate Training Munitions) non-lethal rounds with a real Glock 17, or live ammunition at a range. The standard is 4 of 5 rounds in the target area—achievable even for people who've never held a gun.

UTM training is state-approved, requires no ammo purchase from you, and can happen indoors, outdoors, or on your property. If you prefer traditional range shooting, an extra $35 fee applies (you supply 100 rounds of .22 LR ammo).

The Utah CFP is one of the most widely recognized multi-state permits available, with reciprocity in 35+ states. You can get this permit even if you haven't applied for a New York permit yet—there's no state residency requirement, no gun ownership requirement, and you never list firearms on the permit.

Utah Class Details: - Completed in under 3 hours - Classroom only (no shooting requirement) - NRA certified and Utah BCI certified instruction - Permit arrives in 60 days or less - Cost: $63.25 for the permit itself (renewal by mail is $25 after 5 years) - Valid in 35+/- states for concealed carry

"The Utah class is short and sweet with no test or shooting requirements. I received my Utah Permit in only 52 days!" — George K., Oneida County

Joe also handles the Florida non-resident permit application process and can provide guidance through the paperwork.

One of the biggest differentiators: Joe is retired and genuinely flexible. He teaches 7 days a week, including evenings, on your schedule. He'll teach in your home, at a VFW, gun range, business conference room, fire department, or club—or you can come to his location. No waiting weeks for a scheduled class date.

Joe is neither military nor law enforcement. He approaches instruction as someone helping everyday people accomplish specific safety and legal goals. Key points from his teaching:

• •Firearms safety isn't negotiable. "You must become one with the gun. Your firearm must become your best friend."
• •There's no such thing as an accidental discharge—only negligence.
• •If you leave his class without solid safety fundamentals, he doesn't let you leave. He works as long as needed until you understand.
• •Nearly half his class attendees are female, which several students specifically mentioned as making them more comfortable.

Joe's Credentials: - 15-year NRA Certified Instructor (NRA Pistol Safety, NRA Shooting, NRA Home Firearm Safety) - Certified Range Safety Officer - Utah BCI Certified Instructor - County-approved instructor for Herkimer, Madison, and Lewis counties

"I thought I was just taking another boring class, WRONG! There is so much to learn, and I can now look forward to a lifetime of firearms safety and carrying concealed in so many states." — Sandra T., Oneida County

"Joe's County and Utah class was upbeat and interesting. No fuss, no muss." — Sherry P., Chenango County

"I came back and took a couple of hours of range training with Joe. Truthfully, I think everyone should come back for affordable and beneficial instruction." — George C., Utica

Cash or credit/debit card only. Joe offers a bulletproof guarantee: if you're not 100% satisfied with any class, he'll make it right. That's his business model—nearly 1,500 students trusting him with their safety.