New York State Senator Pam Helming (R–Canandaigua) has introduced a bill (S.9530) she says would protect the “longstanding tradition of shooting sports” in New York state. 

The proposal would clarify language in the state’s firearm legislation enacted on July 1 that “does not expressly exempt” competitive shooting-sports events, often held at sportsmen’s clubs, as “sensitive locations.” 

Helming’s bill would “make clear in state law” that firearms are still permitted to be used at shooting-sports venues and programs, per an Aug. 22 announcement from the state senator. They would include school-approved skeet, trap, or clay-target shooting teams; and organizations such as sportsmen’s clubs, youth clubs, and scouting camps. 

“Shooting sports programs and competitions are conducted safely and responsibly, with applicable training and education. They should be allowed to operate as they always have — safely and successfully,” Helming said. “The language in our laws matter — and the language in the law that takes effect Sept. 1 unfairly puts these programs at risk. Participation in these sports is growing, especially in our rural areas. We must amend the law immediately, so our student-athletes are able to compete and enjoy the educational and personal benefits of these sports.”

Helming represents the 54th State Senate District, which currently encompasses all of Seneca and Wayne counties, as well as parts of Cayuga, Tompkins, Monroe, and Ontario counties.

The New York State High School Clay Target League is among the organizations expressing concern that state law puts these programs and participants “at risk of liability.” 

“On behalf of the thousands of youth clay target shooting sport enthusiasts and their families, the New York State High School Clay Target League fully supports amending the penal law to allow sport shooting and target practice facilities to be exempt from being designated as a sensitive location,” John Nelson, president of the USA Clay Target League, said. “We want to thank Senator Helming and all supporters of this amendment for their efforts to support one of New York’s fastest-growing high school sports,” 

New York State Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (R–Manchester) is co-sponsoring the measure

“As the founder and coach of a local high school trap shooting team, I know how valuable this sport is to our student-athletes. Shooting sports teach students the important life lessons that any other sport does, including teamwork, responsibility, goal setting and additionally, safe firearms handling from properly trained instructors,” Gallahan said. “I am proud to sponsor this new legislation to ensure that these sports can continue and to protect our way of life.”

Firm also makes two other promotions        

SYRACUSE — Christopher Didio, who has been with Syracuse–based Dannible & McKee, LLP since 1987, is now the firm’s managing partner.

The firm’s partners elected Didio to that role, Dannible & McKee announced July 14. 

At the same time, Dannible & McKee also announced that Victor Vaccaro, Jr. has been elected as the firm’s partner-in-charge of assurance services, and Kaitlyn Axenfeld has been promoted to partner.

Dannible & McKee is a certified public accounting (CPA) and consulting firm that is headquartered in Syracuse and has offices in Binghamton and Schenectady.

Didio as managing partner

Didio succeeds Michael Reilly as managing partner. Didio’s term began July 1. Reilly had led the firm since 2018.

As managing partner, Didio will oversee day-to-day operations and will be responsible for guiding the firm’s overall strategy, growth, innovation, and culture across its audit, tax, accounting, and advisory services.

“I am honored to assume the role of managing partner for Dannible & McKee,” Didio said. “Our firm has a great history of leadership, and I look forward to leading a talented, client-focused and community-engaged team to deliver the highest level of service to our clients. I am committed to the success and development of every employee and providing a great firm for our professionals to build their careers.”

Reilly will remain active in the firm. He’ll continue to serve as a tax-consulting partner, focusing on business valuation; litigation support and expert testimony; mergers and acquisitions; and other tax consulting and compliance matters. 

“Identifying and developing leaders is inherent to our firm’s ownership transition planning, and we are excited for what the future has in store with Chris being named our next managing partner,” Reilly said. “Our partners are confident that he will successfully lead and evolve the firm into its next generation.”

About Vaccaro

Vaccaro, whose term also began July 1, succeeds Kenneth Gardiner, who has led the firm’s assurance services since 2005. Gardiner will continue his role as an audit consulting partner with the firm. 

Joining the firm in 1990, Vaccaro has extensive experience providing auditing, accounting, and advisory services. He specializes in working with architectural and engineering firms and manufacturing companies, the firm said.

His areas of expertise include FAR overhead audits, business valuations, ownership transition, mergers and acquisitions, and forensic accounting. Vaccaro also focuses on consulting engagements designed to “enhance the profitability” of his clients. That includes implementation of performance-management techniques, activity-based costing projects, customer-profitability analysis, improved budgeting, and strategic-planning initiatives. 

Vaccaro is a licensed CPA in New York, Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina, is accredited in business valuation by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), and is a certified design accountant, per Dannible & McKee.

About Axenfeld

Axenfeld started with Dannible’s audit department in 2013 and has more than a decade of experience providing audit, review, compilation, and advisory services to clients. 

She is a CPA in New York, a certified fraud examiner, and is certified in financial forensics. Axenfeld specializes in forensic accounting and consulting services, including litigation support for law firms and fraud detection, damage calculations, and prevention matters for privately held companies. 

Axenfeld graduated from SUNY Oneonta, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in professional accounting. 

She is a member of AICPA, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). She is also a board member and member of the financial planning committee of the Hiscock Legal Aid Society, treasurer & finance committee chair for the Syracuse Parks Conservancy, and serves on the NextGen committee for the Syracuse chapter of the NYSSCPA, the firm said.