Why New Shooters Should Join a Range

Joining fellow shooters at a range can help you hone your skills and have fun safely.

posted on June 16, 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. **

So you've purchased a firearm. Now what? One of the first things you should do is find a local gun range. Doing so will likely encourage you to train more and enable you to meet fellow gun owners, as well as find qualified instructors. Quality instruction is important for safety and proficiency. And once you are more comfortable with your skills, you may even want to engage in friendly competitive shooting matches offered at your range. This is a great way to find a training buddy to make practice even more fun.

Whether you choose an indoor or outdoor range is up to you; they each have their pros and cons. In "Joining a Range," one of the latest videos in the Smith & Wesson GUNSMARTS Series 2 collection, Ken Scott, a Smith & Wesson ambassador and former law enforcement officer, explains how to figure out which is right for you. If it's your first time shooting at a gun range, be sure to read up on range etiquette before your first session.

And be sure to check out the entire library of informative videos at smith-wesson.com/gunsmarts, which were created to make proficiency with a firearm more accessible to new gun owners.

Latest

Rao Nra Show Wrap Up
Rao Nra Show Wrap Up

Houston, We Have NRA Members!

More than 73,000 members gathered in the country’s fourth most-populous city to celebrate their Second Amendment freedoms.

Amanda Suffecool Bestowed 2026 NRA Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award

The announcement was made at the NRA Women's Leadership Forum Brunch during the 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston.

Gun Tote’n Mamas Launches Mother’s Day Empowerment Campaign

The campaign, designed to educate women on off-body concealed carry without sacrificing style, invites customers to receive 25% off all GTM products.

Welcome In! NRA Women New Energy Brunch Brings More Women into the 2A Fold

Now in its 13th year, the NRA Women New Energy Brunch, which highlights NRA's outreach programs for women, has become a cornerstone event of the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits.

The Armed Citizen® Reload April 24, 2026

Take the TV, take the jewelry, take the cash—but abscond with the four-legged family member and all bets are off.

Binocular Buying Guide

Shopping for binos? Here’s what to look for.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.