Group Shooting - suggestions?

[Champagne-N-Beer]

Hi All,

Need some advice/suggestions.

Have a group of people (men and women) interested in trying/learning firearms.

Prefer handgun (possibly sport shotgun) training and education, but also want it to be really fun and engaging (not too rote).

Similarly, with this group, they are more interested in learning/having a good time whereas I am more concerned with safety, training and education.

Unfortunately, one big challenge is from a time perspective, anything over 3-4 hours is going to dissuade them.

Located in the LA area and any suggestions are most welcome.

Best,

CnB

[RoundEye]

For the females, I recommend Women on Target (CGSSS actually has a great program with monthly events at Burro Canyon). There isn't really something like that for the males. You could try NRA first steps which is about four hours, or trap shooting with a Groupon at a place like Oaktree, or Tripple Bs. I think so ranges offer introductory groups to beginners that are not the fully blown NRA courses. There's the CGSSA Monthly Events at Burbank, LAX, Insight, On Target, ...

The last idea I have is maybe a meetup group, I recall seeing some shooting oriented ones in the past.

[j1133s]

I feel the best way to introduce folks to shooting is just to bring them to a plinking fun session. Go over the basic safety rules then monitor them like a hawk. This also means taking 1 or 2 newbies at a time and let them walk away feeling happy about guns and supportive of 2A.

Those that want to continue should take a class like NRA first steps, which is mostly classroom and turns off all but the most determined

[Sleighter]

I highly suggest the Women on Target for the ladies. Having them shoot with other women generally brings their anxiety level down and helps to give them confidence. Along with the CGSSA sponsored events there are NRA sponsored events as well. The Inland Empire is having a WoT shoot tomorrow at the Sheriff's range in Riverside.

[gun fu]

I feel the best way to introduce folks to shooting is just to bring them to a plinking fun session. Go over the basic safety rules then monitor them like a hawk. This also means taking 1 or 2 newbies at a time and let them walk away feeling happy about guns and supportive of 2A.

Those that want to continue should take a class like NRA first steps, which is mostly classroom and turns off all but the most determined

I agree... If most of the group are interested in "trying" versus "learning"
A public Indoor range with an organzied full time Range Officer may be the best bet. Some outdoor ranges only offer a berm to rent.

Here in So Cal, Field Time Range Stanton, CA. is a good choice.

Approach the range first of the group intentions, they may have a program. Additionally, they will have rentals for the folks intersted in the "bang-time" .
Once the few that are hooked, encourage them to expand further by taking formalized safety/instruction course like NRA basic Handgun course or First Steps. mentioned before. Then it will eventually grow to other shooting events, Practical Shooting.. IDPA/USPSA , defensive, etc.

[Thefeeder]

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SoCal Skeet Clinic.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1081488

[milotrain]

I wouldn't take a group out shooting. It's great that you want to get them involved and you've talked to them about it but the best way to introduce people to shooting is on a one on one basis. That's both in terms of safety and interest for the new shooter.

Most people don't like to shoot the same things, and most people won't excel at the same kinds of shooting. You don't want to bring 10 people out with a pile of guns and then let them go wild, and you don't want to bring 10 people out and have them never shoot because you are concentrating on safety.

One on One always.