Shooting Range: What do you need to bring to the shooting range?

July 16, 2020

Tips for new gun owners visiting the shooting range for the first time.

Did you know gun sales are up by a staggering amount from last year this time? According to recent firearms survey, an estimated 4.2 million guns were sold in March and April combined, compared to only 2.3 million guns sold during the same time period last year. It’s about a 25% increase from April of last year. Continue reading to learn about what to bring to a shooting range in Florida.

If you are a new gun owner, then you need a place to be able to practice handling your new weapon safely and securely. We are here to help!

What to Bring to a Shooting Range:

1. Firearm

Many shooting ranges in Florida allow you to rent or bring your own firearm. Although shooting ranges will charge a small fee for renting, it might be a good idea to test out a few firearms before you make a purchase. Be sure your hand fits nicely in your new weapon and you are comfortable using it at the range.

2. Mask 

Since we are still living in a global pandemic, it’s best to always bring a mask, even at the shooting range. You never know which facilities will have mandatory “wear a mask” rule so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

3. Ammunition 

Firearm ammunition can get quite expensive if you are a regular at a particular range. While most shooting ranges in Florida offer bullets for a fee, you might want to bring your own to save some money. Be sure to get the correct ammunition for your new weapon.

4. Eye Protection 

The last thing you want is to have an eye accident at the shooting range. All shooting ranges have an eye protection requirement. So, if you a regular shooter, consider getting your own eye protection. And yes, eye protection is more than a pair of sunglasses.

5. Ear Protection

Not only do you need to protect your eyes, but you also need to protect your ears. Shooting is extremely loud and can cause severe damage to your ear buds if you don’t wear earmuffs. Thankfully, here at Bill Jacksons you can purchase a new high-quality pair of ear and eye protection to use at the range.

6. Targets

Most ranges have targets you can buy for when you go shooting. However, if you want to be a regular shooter, it will be more affordable to buy the shooting targets beforehand. Targets help you with your aim and can be a great way to measure the accuracy of your progress overtime.

7. A Buddy (who is 18+)

The last thing you should considering bringing to the range is a buddy or friend. Shooting with a friend is more fun than shooting alone. Be sure your friend or shooting companion is at least over 18 years of age. It’s a legal requirement to have at least one person with you who is at least 18 years old.

If you want to learn more about the local shooting ranges in Florida, we suggest you give us a call! Bill Jacksons has an air conditioned indoor range. When you practice shooting at Bill Jacksons, you can get expert help in a safe and secure way.

Hopefully these things to bring is just a start to practicing your new gun in a safe way. If this is your first time shooting your firearm, you will be asked to either watch an instructional video or take a brief safety course before you begin. Good luck with handling your new weapon, you will have a blast!

For questions about your new gun or how to operate it, contact Bill Jacksons today.