On April 25, 2024 Senator Tedisco attended the Galway Trap Shooting team practice at the Galway Fish and Game Club. He was able to watch students practice, connect with coaches and parents, and answer some questions regarding the new firearm transfer policies.

This past year Hochul reached out to NYS trap coaches requiring them to register as ammunition keepers. NYS charges $9 for each firearm transfer and $2.50 for the transfer of ammunition. The Galway Trap Team is an affordable sport unlike many others. Firearms, safety wear, and ammunition are all included in the $40 registration payment. This is a small cost compared to what people typically pay for other sports and their equipment. Additionally if a student needs any aid covering the financial registration, the team will cover the cost so that all students can participate in this rewarding sport. Our trap team currently has no organization funding it. We are not supported by the school or by NYS. The team fundraises constantly in order to keep this a cost-free program for students. With the new ammunition and firearm transfers, this is going to take a hit on our team’s low-cost policy.

Throughout my conversation with Tedisco, I asked him who is going to help pay for all of these transfers in order to keep this sport cost-free for all students. He was well aware that Galway CSD did not play a role in supporting the trap team even though many students participated. He also further explained that Hochul has no plan for supporting trap teams because she believes that they are a public safety risk. Tedisco shares that Hochul and her team are using this law as a power tactic to put fear into the people. Hochul would rather spend the state budget on supporting the illegal immigrants than taking care of the kids participating in this sport. She plans on spending $2.4 billion dollars to deal with homeless immigrants but not a penny on trap shooting.

Tedisco wants to bring awareness to how important trap shooting is for kids. He said that “it is a sport and it should be protected just like any sport”. He reiterates that all other sports are funded and fully supported except for trap shooting. Tedisco shared about how much of a role sports played in his life growing up. They offered team building skills, individual growth, mental awareness, and determination. Trap shooting is just as much of a sport as any other sport students participate in. If anything, trap plays more of a role in the Galway community than any other sport. Our trap team applies to all different ages, skill levels, and abilities. The Galway Trap Team is a welcoming place where students can learn to grow as a person, make real world connections, learn how to build a relationship with teammates, discipline, and practice firearm safety skills. Trap shooting is more than just a “safe gun sport”, it’s a place where students can be themselves and come out of their shells. Every student walks away with something new they learned while becoming a better person.

Tedisco gives the Galway Trap Team his full support. He encourages all public organizations to give grants and other donations to keep this program available to all students. Trap shooting is a necessary sport that should be kept available to all students. Trap shooting offers low-cost learning experiences for all team members. In short, Trap Shooting is an essential program that should be supported and protected. Thank you to Senator Tedisco for coming out and showing his support. If we want to keep this sport available for students, we have to fight back against the media and Hochul’s plan for our children’s future.