Safety & Etiquette: What to Do at a Shooting Range

Here's what everyone else is doing at the shooting range, why they're doing it, and how to blend right in.

posted on August 12, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Smith & Wesson's Ken Scott has been shooting and training shooters for a long time, and he knows as well as anyone that one of the most intimidating things for beginners is that first trip to the shooting range. We can read all of the articles and fully understand how gun safety works, but we still walk onto that public range for the first time and realize that we don't really know what to do next. 

In this video from S&W's GUNSMARTS series, which was created specifically to support new shooters in their journeys, Scott will walk you through the sequence of events that should take place when you arrive on the range. From when to put on your eye and ear protection, to how to set your gun down correctly, to how to communicate with your fellow shooters, this video has the step-by-step order of activity that will have you blending right in with the rest of the range in no time flat. 

Latest

Rao Internal Factors Lede
Rao Internal Factors Lede

4 Internal Factors that Affect a Firearm’s Performance

Want maximum output from your firearm? Follow these tips to ensure your gun is a keeper.

ScentLok's Ridge Series for Women

ScentLok says it has combined all the favorite features from the men's line with a fit that is proven to help women feel comfortable and agile in the field.

Federal Announces America 250th Commemorative Target Loads

The America 250th line features target-friendly loads across rifle, handgun, rimfire and shotshell categories.

Remington Introduces We The People, 250th Anniversary of the USA Ammunition

The special-edition line include a mix of popular calibers packaged in 250-count boxes and limited-run commemorative buckets.

New Guns 2026: Smith & Wesson M&P 10mm M2.0 Carry Comp Pistol

The Performance Center pistol was developed with essential features to enhance the overall shooting experience for users.

Review: Henry's SPD HUSH Lever-Action Rifle

Designed for use as a suppressor host, this model blends old-school gun-making know-how with ultra-modern tactical features.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.