Meet Our Instructors
Pete Morelli
Chief Firearms Instructor
Pete was first introduced to firearms at Norwich University where he trained with M-16s and M-60s. After Norwich, Pete became a member of law enforcement and served for 33 years. During that time, Pete was on the Derry Police Special Operations Unit and, eventually, became a SWAT team leader for the Southern NH Special Operations Unit. Pete has a true passion for teaching firearm safety. When Pete isn’t teaching, you can find him in the woods hunting or fishing.
Pat Cassidy
Senior Firearms Instructor
Pat has been an instructor at Granite State Indoor Range for over 6 years now. Before Pat was an instructor here, he served in the Army and as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer for 15 years. During his time as a Capitol Police Officer, Pat was selected to be a Capitol Police Firearms Instructor. Working as a firearms instructor inspired Pat and after retiring from the Capitol Police, he became a middle school science teacher (which he still is). Pat’s hobbies include golf, making craft cocktails, and building his own candle business.
Forrest Owen
Firearms Instructor
Forrest grew up shooting trap and skeet with his family. His uncle was an Olympic trap coach, and his cousin was on the USA Shooting Team. Naturally, this led to Forrest getting more involved with firearms and training. Forrest has now been an instructor with us for over a year and has already completed several high-level instructor courses. Aside from being an instructor, Forrest runs a residential real estate business with his wife. In the little spare time Forrest has, he enjoys playing tennis (which he played in college), ice skating (his wife was a collegiate figure skater), skiing, traveling, and woodworking.
Arrash Bitaraf
Firearms Instructor
Arrash is an Army Veteran of 12 years and has been training with rifles for over 25 years now. In 2004, Arrash was deployed to Iraq and did not retire until 2009. He taught firearms instruction informally in the military but it wasn’t until he started working here that he was doing it professionally. Arrash teaches all our Youth Safety and New Shooter classes. When Arrash isn’t working here he is busy being an administrator at Red Hat. On his days off, you can find Arrash hiking, working out, or playing video games with his kids.
Deb Lussier
Firearms Instructor
Deb grew up with an avid hunter and gun collector for a Dad, and her weekends were often spent at the Nashua Fish & Game Club where she fell in love with target shooting. A few years ago, Deb decided to take her passion for shooting to the next level and enrolled in multiple classes at GSIR and Sig. Her goal was to share her passion and knowledge and empower women interested in firearms. In January 2023, Deb started working as an instructor at GSIR and specializing in our Females & Firearms class. Outside of her professional life, Deb has been a member of the Gate City Striders since the 90’s and she is also the lead singer of a local cover band named The Slakas.
Pete LePoer
Firearms Instructor
Pete’s firearm journey began when he was 10 years old. Growing up on a farm, it wasn’t much of a choice as it was a necessity to protect the animals. This was a skill that Pete learned from his father and older siblings. Pete has been instructing firearm safety and education for about 30 years, while his professional background includes electric utility and engineering. Pete is our Massachusetts firearm expert and instructs all of our MA LTC classes. Outside of firearms, Pete’s hobbies include automotive and motorcycle repair, as well as riding and restoring them.