Kentucky ranks number five in a
2014 list of the best states for gun owners compiled by Guns and Ammo. The state received a high score of 47 out of 50 based on right to carry laws, restrictions on sporting rifles, National Firearms Act rights, Castle Doctrine and a miscellaneous category.
Here are six spots in Kentucky for firearms and pistol practice:
1.
Knob Creek Gun Range: Located in West Point, Knob Creek offers a wide range of services including individual and family memberships, inexpensive range fees, and concealed carry and hunter education classes. The facility strives to "provide a safe, friendly atmosphere for families to enjoy firearms." Knob Creek rents guns for range but also sells pistols, rifles and shotguns as well as ammo, targets, scopes and mounts, reloading supplies, and safety items.
One reviewer on Yelp wrote, "Knob Creek, right off of Dixie on Hwy 44 is a gun range and gun shop that puts the boom in bang. A very big establishment, family owned and operated by a gun smart staff."
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2.
T G & G: Training Guns and Gear is an indoor gun range in Louisville with state of the art facilities that "provide exceptional space for physical, gun, and simulation training." The facility provides a wide range of educational classes including concealed carry, home defense, women on target, and "how to survive a lethal force encounter legally."
"The rates were reasonable and most of all, the help from the staff makes this range one of the best ranges I've visited throughout the country," writes one Yelp reviewer.
3.
Open Range: Located in Crestwood, Open Range advertises, "Get thrilled, get trained and get gear." Thrills include the gun range and a paint ball arena, training includes, basic safety, concealed carry and advanced classes, and the range is a Kimber master dealer.
"I have yet to find another range that offers the versatility you offer at the 'pistol' lanes, and the dedicated rifle lanes for longer shooting, and sighting in scopes," reads a post on Facebook.
4.
S and D Indoor Gun Range: Located in Nicholasville, this range offers pistol and rifle rentals, and 12, twenty-five yard shooting lanes. In addition to basic safety and concealed carry classes, the range partners with the Tactical Edge Firearms Training group.
"The staff knew exactly what kind of gun was best for me on my first time there and spent time showing me how to hold the gun and explaining the target to me. They were very friendly," reports a reviewer in Gun Digest.
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5.
Buds Gun Shop & Range: Located in Lexington, this 28-lane range has bullet proof windows 'triple enforced sound absorbing material allow for additional viewing from the showroom," and features automatic Mancom retrieval systems. Instruction ranges from beginner and ladies' defensive handgun classes to advanced handgun and "Zombie Shoots, Machine Gun Shoots, Suppressor Shoots and more."
"I was in Bud's Gun Shop yesterday. Absolutely the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff of any business I have ever visited. Joe P. in the handguns' section you are awesome!" writes a reviewer on Facebook.
6.
American Institute of Marksmanship: Located in Cave City, this private facility offers three individual ranges and three trap fields. The range is open to the public during competitive events. Training courses include everything from basic safety to "advanced person protection with a handgun." A.I.M posts this quote by LTC Jeff Cooper, USMC, "You are no more armed because you possess a handgun than you are a musician because you own a piano."
A positive review in The Arms Guide states that one defensive handgun training class, "taught skills such as drawing from concealment safely and efficiently, handling firearms malfunctions, engaging a target in a self defense situation, speed/emergency reloads, and shooting while moving."
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
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