Target practice is an important part of any good gun owners rituals. There is something mystical and calming about heading out to a range (whether it is an indoor range or an outdoor range) and letting off a couple of shots. To be a really good shot, I find that most people become meditative, really relaxing and concentrating on aim, trigger control, breathing, and getting the shot off. Target practice can also be instrumental in getting comfortable with your firearms and helping you become a better shot and a better gun owner.

Good ranges are staffed by a good rangemaster who will be there to help answer your questions, make sure you are approaching target practice with the best safety practices in place, and to instill good shooting habits in you. If you are interested, ask your rangemaster about shooting classes or gun safety classes. Most ranges offer these and they can be helpful in not only becoming a better gun owner but also in meeting other like-minded folks interested in shooting and firearms. If you are new to gun ownership or just interested in a good introductory class to get you started with your target practice, I’d suggest you look into the NSSF’s introductory class called First Shots. First Shots was developed by the NSSF to help provide ranges with a comprehensive introductory program to shooting by qualified range experts and instructors. The course includes information on firearm safety, local ownership requirements, shooting fundamentals,  as well as information about how to further your education past the introductory class.

If you are past the introductory level and are just interested in finding a place to let off some steam, check out WhereToShoot.org which provides a listing of all the certified gun ranges in the United States. It’s a great resource if you are new to a area or are looking for a place to shoot safely and legally while making new friends and having a resourceful rangemaster available to you.