Going to a shooting range is always going to be an exciting experience, but that first trip can be stressful as well. Even if you’ve been shooting outdoors for years, handling a firearm on private property around other people is a completely different situation. Here’s a quick look at some tips and tricks you can use to ensure you remain safe and make the most of your first trip.
Start with a Safety Course
If you’ve never taken a gun safety course before, you’ll probably want to make that the first step in this process. Safety courses can teach you quite a bit about how to properly handle your firearm and what will be expected of you around others who are carrying firearms. As an added bonus, many safety courses are held in shooting ranges. This means you’re going to have an inside look at all the rules you’ll need to follow.
Call Ahead
Whenever you’re planning on going to any new gun range, you should always make a point of calling ahead. During that phone conversation, you’ll be able to ask about any special rules or regulations you’ll need to follow. Various ranges often have completely different rules regarding what types of weapons can be used, how firearms must be brought into the building, and what expenses will be involved. Knowing that information beforehand is going to make your trip much less stressful.
Go on a Slow Day
Another simple step you can take to streamline your first visit is to head in on a slower day when fewer people are at the range. Walking into a busy range you’re unfamiliar with can be a hectic and potentially nerve-wracking situation. When you first call the range, you might want to ask them if they have any slower days or time slots that are good for newer clients. Some ranges also give discounts to those who come in during the week or at slower times.
Only Use a Gun You’re Familiar With
While it might be tempting to head to the range with a firearm you’re excited to shoot for the first time, that isn’t always a good idea. New firearms often come with a steep learning curve, and you don’t want to pay for range time only to find out your new gun requires maintenance or doesn’t seem to be operating properly. During your first visit, you’ll most likely only want to bring one or two firearms you’ve been handling for some time. If you don’t have any firearms you’re comfortable with, you should speak with one of the employees about user-friendly rental guns.
Whether you’re new to gun ownership or you’ve owned guns for years, practicing at a range can help you enhance your shooting skills, and safety should always be your top priority. If you’d like to learn more about firearms safety from experienced professionals, consider taking a gun safety course online from the experts at Gun Safety Training Pros. Contact us today at [email protected].
