Those interested in operating a gun may be looking for tips on finding a gun range where they can learn to safely operate a firearm and practice shooting.
Even expert marksmen need shooting ranges, especially if they live in an urban environment where there aren’t many places to practice their sport. Here are some recommendations on choosing a shooting range:
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• Find a list of shooting ranges in your area. A website run by the National Shooting Sports Foundation,
WhereToShoot.org, has an extensive list of ranges by area and also offers firearms tips for safety and shooting.
• Check out the ranges ahead of time.
Girls Heart Guns recommends going online to look at the ranges’ websites and also finding a gun forum to ask people about different ranges. One blog, called
Do Over, maintains a list of mentors or ranges that want to help people learn to shoot, so Girls Heart Guns offered that idea as a way for people who are concerned about stepping outside their comfort zone to take on a new sport.
• Check to see if the gun range rents or sells safety equipment, GHG said. If you already own equipment, then it’s not a problem. But otherwise, you may need to nix any shops that don’t have it available.
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• Can you rent a gun from the range? If you don’t own a gun or want to try a gun out before buying it, you should look for a range that rents them.
"One of the best things about trying out a gun at the firing range is the access to qualified professionals. Those professionals can help guests understand the different types of firearms and which are best for indoor vs. outdoor shooting,”
Indy Trading Post said. “Novice shooters may not know how to load a gun, so having a professional around who can demonstrate this can be a great help."
• Is it an indoor or outdoor range, or does it have both options?
“Outdoor ranges tend to be cheaper to shoot at because their range fees in general are lower and they do not require special ammunition,” GHG said. “Extreme temperatures may preclude shooting outdoors however and indoor ranges do have points in their favor. Indoor ranges can be good for first-time shooters because they may be less crowded and less noisy due to the cost factor which encourages other shooters to go to the outdoor ranges nearby.”
• How much is the range fee and do you have to buy ammunition there? Find out whether the range is open to the public or requires a membership, which could be an additional cost.
• Does the range offer training or classes in shooting? The
National Shooting Sports Foundation offers a First Shots class through a variety of outlets nationwide. The class is for people who are just learning the sport and is free.
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