7 Things I Wish I Knew: My First Time at the Range
We all start somewhere. For me, my “somewhere” was over six years ago at FLETC, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. It was my first time handling or shooting a handgun, and I was petrified to say the least. I’ll get into that story in another post.
Now, more than six years later, after a lot of practice, education, and very supportive friends (shout-out to all my buddies who so patiently and gently encouraged and worked with me), I’m proud to say that I’m confident, competent, and consistently scoring 294-300/300 on my firearm qualifications at work.
But, let me tell you: there is a LOT of advice I wish I had known back in 2020. If you’re about to start shooting for the first time, whether at an academy or at your neighborhood range, I hope this gives you a little more confidence and a lot less anxiety.
1. You won’t be perfect on your first day. If you expect perfection the first time you do anything, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. The good news? Nobody expects you to be great right away.
The firearms community is generally pretty chill, and most people genuinely want you to succeed. The best part of learning a difficult skill is looking back later and saying, “Wow, I did that. I’m so proud of myself!”
Give yourself permission to be new.
2. It is okay to ask for help. Any reputable range will have a RSO (Range Safety Officer) on duty. They’re there to keep everyone safe, and that includes helping you with equipment, target setup, and lane etiquette.
If you’re unsure about anything, ask. They want you to ask. And above all else: listen to the RSO.
3. It’s going to be loud. Seems obvious, right? It still caught me off guard my first time, though. I expected the noise but I didn’t expect the amount of noise, all at once. It was overstimulating, overwhelming, and honestly, scary. You’ll get used to it quickly, but it is a lot easier if you…
4. Bring your own ear and eye protection. It’s best if you bring your own gear so that you know it works and you know how it feels. If you don’t own any, most ranges will allow you to purchase eye protection and rent ear protection. If you’re extremely noise sensitive like me, consider doubling up with both inner ear protection and over-the-ear protection. (Hint: a lot of ranges will refer to these as “ear pro” and “eye pro.”)
5. Don’t wear super loose or low-cut clothing. Especially at outdoor ranges. Hot brass is unpredictable, and if it gets stuck in your clothing, it can hurt and potentially leave a scar. You can’t eliminate this risk, but you can minimize it with smart clothing choices. Consider fitted tops, long sleeves, higher necklines, and fabrics that don’t gap or drape. (This is one of the many reasons I started designing concealed‑carry clothing for women. We deserve functional gear that still feels like us.)
6. Wear closed-toe shoes. Chances are, your range will not allow you to shoot if you have open-toe shoes on. This is for your own safety due to hot brass and tripping concerns.
7. Shooting can be fun! I get it. Your first time shooting can be pretty intimidating. I was right there with you. It took time, patience, and practice for me to figure it out, but shooting can also be enjoyable. Of course, it is also a valuable skill for protecting yourself and your family, and a powerful confidence-builder. But don’t forget to enjoy yourself. You’re learning a valuable new skill.
Don’t forget that shooting is an incredible responsibility. You are accountable for using your firearm safely, intentionally, and with maturity. It’s a powerful tool, and it deserves to be handled with respect every single time you pick it up. I’ll put another blog post up in the future about firearm safety, safe storage, and child-proofing.
Everybody starts somewhere; the important thing is just to start!
If you want more beginner-friendly tips, especially for women navigating concealed carry, range days, or everyday protection, I’ve got plenty more coming. And if you’re looking for clothing designed specifically for women who carry, stay tuned. I’m building something I wish existed when I started.
