Firearms training event in Basilicata emphasises safety and discipline first
A firearms familiarisation event organised by the political movement Futuro Nazionale takes place today, Saturday 3 October, at a shooting range in the province of Potenza. The initiative, titled Accademia dei Futuristi, brings participants to the Poligono Accademia dei Cavalieri in località Pazzano near Tolve, roughly 20 kilometres from the regional capital, for a morning structured around theory, practice, and a precision competition.
What the programme covers
The session begins at 9.30 with a theoretical component led by the range's shooting director. This first portion lasts approximately one hour and addresses fundamental safety rules, the mechanics of handguns, and general principles for their proper handling and management.
Following the classroom instruction, participants move to the practical phase. Under instructor supervision, they undergo a familiarisation session to apply what they learned. The morning concludes with the Trofeo dei Futuristi, a symbolic precision competition conducted in accordance with the range's rules and procedures.
Free participation for young adults
The organising committee, Futuro Nazionale Basilicata, established free participation for adults under 30, while other parts of the event remain open to all ages. Places were limited, with mandatory advance booking required via telephone.
Giulio Curatella, the Lucania regional coordinator for Futuro Nazionale, said the name Accademia dei Futuristi was chosen to bring together knowledge, discipline and responsibility. "We do not want to trivialise a serious subject or turn it into folklore," he said. "A firearm demands awareness and respect for the rules. Discipline comes before precision. And safety comes before everything else."
According to organisers, the event is also intended as a team-building opportunity — a chance for participants to bond through an experience that pairs training with sporting activity.
Context: Italian shooting regulations
In Italy, anyone wishing to handle firearms at registered shooting ranges must follow strict protocols. Adults aged 18 and over are the only ones permitted to hold firearms licences or authorisations. For minors, the law permits supervised target practice with air guns from age 10 and with small-calibre firearms from age 14, provided parental consent is given and a qualified federal technician oversees the activity at all times.
Certificate courses for the Diploma di Idoneità al Maneggio delle Armi — required for firearms licences — typically cost between €120 and €250 depending on the facility, making free introductory sessions unusual.
