Urban Second Amendment will be holding its fourth Firearms Safety and Responsible Gun ownership seminar in Penn Hills on July 31.

The free seminar will cover shooting fundamentals, proper storage claiming and the legality of legal gun ownership. The class will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at Griff’s Grounds Coffé, 1817 Leechburg Road.

“The purpose of this is to increase the number of people that understand firearm safety to our target demographic, which is first-time gun owners,” said Eugene Bryan Sharpley, the organizer and member of U2A.

Sharpley, a Penn Hills native, said he looks forward to hosting the seminar in the area.

Sharpley has held two classes in East Liberty and one in New Kensington. He hopes to expand his footprint by teaching firearm safety across the country in other urban communities. He said his upbringing with firearms was different from his friends who lived in rural areas and hunted.

“I wanted to reintroduce this, especially to the Black community, to how these instruments can be used safely and stored properly,” he said.

The class is led by Aaron Allen, owner and lead instructor of Elite Tactical Firearms Training. As a state trooper, he said he saw a major need in the communities to educate people on firearms and firearms safety.

“A lot of people have concealed carry permits, but not everyone has proper training for using or carrying a firearm,” he said.

He opened Elite Tactical Firearms Training three years ago to help fill that need. The first class sold out in three days. It involved basic pistol shooting and safety training. Classes are held every month, he said. Within the past year, Allen said he was able to teach more than 1,000 students.

While free classes are offered, there are classes offered for $120 for any civilian, police officer or military personnel who wants to train. The paid classes are more hands-on and longer, in addition to giving students the opportunity to shoot live rounds on the range.

Sharpley caught wind of the popularity of the classes and reached out to collaborate, Allen said. The New Kensington class the pair led had more than 60 attendees.

“It is great to see civilians want to learn about firearms and be better equipped,” Allen said. “Training, education and knowledge is power.”

The class is open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Allen said there will be no live rounds and all props will be fake.

RSVP is not required. To sign up, visit eventbrite and search for “Responsible Fire Arms Ownership.” Attendees will receive a 50% discount off any Elite Tactical Firearms Training class.

“Firearm safety is very important, especially for people who have children in their homes. More places should do it for free,” Sharpley said.

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