Learning to shoot requires practice and patience. Going to the shooting range offers a chance to improve your skills. However, having several people with guns in close quarters requires everyone to take reasonable precautions. The guide below looks at best practices to adhere to before and during your visit.

How to Stay Safe at the Shooting Range

1. Enroll in Firearms Training

Especially if you’re a beginner, enroll in a firearms training course. A professional will teach you about the function of different parts of the gun, how they work together, and how to use the firearm appropriately. You’ll also learn the proper way to position your hands, how to aim, and how to handle the recoil.

2. Remember It’s Better to Be Safe Than Sorry

Always treat your gun as if it’s loaded, which means never point it at anything you don’t intend to shoot. Instead, direct it downrange.

Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire to avoid accidentally discharging the weapon. Always be sure of your target and what’s behind it, so you don’t shoot something you don’t mean to.

3. Learn the Range’s Rules

Every shooting range expects you to follow basic gun safety; however, they likely have specific rules of their own. For example, they might require that you wait for a designated “all clear” time to approach the firing line. They might prohibit certain types of ammunition, like hand-loaded or steel-core, as they can’t be sure these non-factory rounds won’t penetrate the backstop behind the targets.

These rules will most likely be listed on their website or featured in the lobby. They might also be specified in a waiver form you have to sign. Review these guidelines carefully for your own protection and others'.

Whether you want to practice your shooting, buy a new gun, or look into concealed carry permits, turn to Shooter’s Firearms & Indoor Range in Columbia, IL. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff are experts in every aspect of gun sales and ownership, including concealed carry training. They have a full-service indoor shooting range so you can practice your marksmanship or participate in their shooting competitions. Learn more about their services on their website. Call them at (618) 281-6393 for more information.