Our Story

BILL DALPE | Owner & Lead Instructor

Patriot started shortly after Bill’s daughter Angela was born in 1999. Bill, like many Americans, decided he needed to be as prepared as he could to protect his small and growing family. Starting as an enthusiast, he quickly learned he had a knack for conveying information, especially shooting skills, to family, friends, and individuals on the range. It made sense because he had already taught adults and kids in other areas of his life, and so started his official instructor and training counselor journey.

Along his path to becoming an instructor in many disciplines, Bill took instructor-level classes from training counselors and instructors nationwide. The benefit of this was that he could take the broad cross-section of instructional methods to use in developing great teaching techniques himself.

In wanting to do the very best he could for the 2A community, and after practicing his craft for a long time, he became a training counselor for the NRA (and then later for the USCCA) to influence new generations of instructors. Again. Taking the very best, he learned and paid it forward to his instructor candidates. 

Right from the beginning, Bill recognized that the gun was the tool of last resort and needed to convey this to students in a way that made sense. This was when Bill created the “stepped’ process that is now the core of the Patriot way.

Bill created a class called Before You Carry and Defend, which realistically frames what it means to be a defender of your family in every way and not just with a firearm and is the second step in the Patriot suggested learning. 

Patriot adds curriculum every year, with the latest being the USCCA Countering the Mass Shooter Threat.

Patriot is genuinely a full-service school and has the hard-earned reputation of being one of the best schools in New England and beyond. We have added 3 highly qualified instructors over the past 2 years. 

We will take you from a guns 101 class, such as licensing class and thru defensive live fire classes, which will teach you to use your defensive tool of choice effectively and efficiently and will result in you becoming a better defender of yourself and your family.

All our classes are conducted in a relaxed, safe, comfortable, and family-friendly environment.

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GARET HOLCOMB | Instructor

Born and raised in California (back in the old days when you could still shoot, way, way out in the desert), Garet is a veteran with a history of serving as a Submarine Weapons Systems Technician. While in service, Garet earned his first shooting qualification, qualifying as a Navy Electronics Instructor. Although his professional career followed an engineering pathway, he never lost his love for shooting and earned the NRA Instructor qualification after moving to Massachusetts where he enjoys work and life with his wife and teenage son.

Since moving to the east coast, Garet has become an avid hunter and has since expanded his involvement in the shooting and 2nd Amendment communities through teaching, state-level 2A right advocacy work, and continuing his own training during his free time.

"Continuing your own training is just as much a cost of gun ownership as buying ammo or a gun safe." - Garet Holcomb

Garet’s certifications include:

  • Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Instructor
  • NRA Certified Home Firearms Safety Instructor
  • NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
  • NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
  • NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
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BILL GALLANT | Instructor

Bill has held an interest in firearms for many years and held a concealed carry permit back in the 90’s. Unfortunately, Bill let that permit expire but his interest was reignited in 2011. In 2012, Bill acquired his Massachusetts License to Carry (LTC) and holds a Utah Concealed Firearms Permit as well as a Concealed Weapons Permit in Rhode Island. A NRA Life Member, he holds both the NRA rifle and pistol instructor certifications for nearly 5 years. Whatsmore, Bill also serves as a Range Safety Officer at a local range.

Bill currently teaches the NRA Basic Pistol Course (Massachusetts Licensing Course) and Home Firearm Safety courses at Patriot. However, he has participated in two Massachusetts gun law seminars and is certified in multiple live fire training courses. These courses include Concealed Carry and Home Defense, USCCA Defensive Shooting Fundamentals I and II, Armed Vehicle Defense, Carry and Defend 3.0 and AR-15 Fundamentals. 

Bill’s certifications include:

  • NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
  • NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
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