That's what 150 individuals enjoyed at three First Shots seminars in Chicagoland recently. First Shots is the National Shooting Sports Foundation's program that introduces people to shooting through safety education and supervised live-fire instruction. As in Chicagoland, many First Shots seminars focus on helping individuals understand the various aspects of handgun ownership, since knowing how to get started and navigating state and local laws can be barriers to first-timers.
Good things happen when newcomers are introduced to the shooting sports, as a story in the Suburban Chicago News illustrates:
After Suzanne Hohensee finished her shooting session, she was keen to the idea of buying a gun to hunt and do a little target practice with her family. "It was a really good experience," Hohensee said.
When you make a gun owner, recreational shooter or hunter, you make a lot of things: a supporter of the Second Amendment, someone who understands firearms ownership and who can correct those who may be critical of guns and gun owners, someone who wants to share the activity with a family member or friend, a conservationist (because excise taxes paid on equipment purchases supports wildlife restoration), someone who supports jobs at your community's shooting facility and at other companies in the shooting sports industry, and you create a friendly face for responsible firearms ownership and use in the community, which in urban areas is a badly needed role model.
With hundreds of shooting ranges around the country hosting seminars, First Shots is unquestionably making a lot of new shooters, and at the same time it's developing a community of people new to the shooting sports. Being part of a supportive community of like-minded individuals is important when you're first starting out with a new sport or hobby, and that's why NSSF has started a First Shots Facebook page where new shooters can meet, swap stories and tips, and find out how to take advantage of resources such as instructional videos at NSSF's www.huntandshoot.org and the calendar of First Shots events.
We expect the First Shots Facebook community to grow to become a virtual meeting place for not only First Shots alumni but for any individual who is getting started, or reactivated, in the shooting sports.
Is there a branch of First Shots in Washington State? I'd sure like to participate in a seminar like this. My husband has participated in competitive shooting in the past and I believe received training from the same folks who train police officers to shoot.
Myself, I'm a little gun shy and I'd really like to hone my skills. My husband is BIG on safe gun handling and gun safety.
Posted by: Angela | February 18, 2009 at 01:15 AM
Myself, I'm a little gun shy and I'd really like to hone my skills. My husband is BIG on safe gun handling and gun safety.
Posted by: removed | April 13, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Hi, interesting post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for blogging. I will probably be coming back to your site. Keep up the good work
Posted by: removed | May 10, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Handgun shooting is widely considered to be the most difficult of the shooting arts. Pistols are relatively light, hard to hold steady and unlike rifles and shotguns, not supported against the shooter's body when fired. Concentration and self-discipline are required to reliably hit the target with a handgun.
Posted by: removed | May 15, 2009 at 06:22 AM
The new handgun shooter also does not need the added distractions of unnecessary recoil and muzzle blast, which inspire flinching. Flinching is natural, but ruinous to accuracy and terribly hard to control. A good first handgun should be chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridges.
Posted by: removed | May 15, 2009 at 06:25 AM
Persons who cannot concentrate on the task at hand and who lack self-discipline will never become good pistol shots. Even after a satisfactory level of skill is acquired, regular practice is necessary to maintain that skill. Continuing practice is far more important with a handgun than it is with a rifle.
Thanks
Posted by: removed | May 15, 2009 at 06:29 AM
A red dot is a natural type of sight to use and allows the beginning shooter to concentrate on grip, stance, and the all important trigger squeeze without also having to remember to focus on the front sight. After those factors have been mastered using a red dot sight the novice can move on to iron sights if desired.
Posted by: removed | May 15, 2009 at 06:41 AM
The best way to get started in handgun target shooting, or rifle or shotgun shooting for that matter, is to visit a local shooting range and let the range operator know you are a beginner and that you would like to work under the supervision of a certified instructor and take a class associated with the type of shooting your are interested in. You can find a shooting range in your area by using the Yellow Pages or by going to www.wheretoshoot.org. You also can check www.firstshots.org to see if an introductory target shooting class is available near where you live. In addition, you will find helpful videos geared to newcomers at www.huntandshoot.org. Get good instruction at the start and learn and practice the rules of firearms safety. With that foundation, you'll be able to enjoy a lifetime sport that is fun and can be shared with friends and family.
Posted by: Bill Brassard | June 09, 2009 at 10:38 AM
There are many great guns out their but I guess I settled on reliability, practicality and versatility.
I like the M98 Mauser action but would have to say that if buying a rifle today,it would be the Rem 700. It has done very well and has lots of parts available to build whatever you need.
Shotgun: Rem 870. It is economical, reliable and always works. Comes in many styles from cheap to fancy. I used to hunt with automatics but missed many a great and hard won shot due to ice, snow, aged reloads, rain, crud, etc. causing a malfunction.
Posted by: removed | June 11, 2009 at 02:40 AM
Nice information this is really interesting
Posted by: removed | June 12, 2009 at 05:59 AM
Continuing practice is far more important with a handgun than it is with a rifle.
Posted by: removed | June 27, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Depending on a client’s requirements and the shooting experience of guests, an assortment of calibers and types of firearms are used to enhance your learning experience and shooting excitement. Paper targets and a variety of reactive targets that spin or fall down when struck may be used
Posted by: removed | June 29, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Got to your next shooting range, that's what they're here fore.
Posted by: removed | July 02, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Hi, interesting post. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: omegor | July 03, 2009 at 06:57 AM
I have a little gun for my safety.your story is really nice.
Posted by: removed | July 25, 2009 at 02:47 AM
Thanks for the facebook address and the information. People need to know how to find the right handgun for their hand size and grip.
Posted by: removed | July 27, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Quite a nice post..
I have always a bad handgun shooting experience! :(
Posted by: removed | August 01, 2009 at 09:41 AM
I shot a gun once. It was fun.
Posted by: removed | August 05, 2009 at 01:22 AM
Oooh but you have to watch out. They recoil and it can hurt.
Posted by: removed | August 05, 2009 at 01:23 AM
I really enjoyed reading this article. It's interesting stuff!
Posted by: removed | August 05, 2009 at 01:24 AM
I have never fired a gun. I think it would be pleasant experience when they fired first. I like hunting, but never had the chance until now.
Posted by: removed | August 07, 2009 at 05:04 AM
I love shotting its my hobby.i have a gun for my safety.
Posted by: removed | August 13, 2009 at 07:25 AM
I am scarred of gun and i think that i need some classes.
Posted by: removed | August 19, 2009 at 07:55 AM
Lots of thoughts - but do I really need such a skill?
-- Mark (http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1688962)
Posted by: Mark | August 21, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Never had a gun and I hope I never have to use one :(
Posted by: Sherry | August 23, 2009 at 05:34 AM