Truthfully, I have never shot a gun and said, “This is boring,” and I do not think I ever will. Maybe you have a different relationship with firearms and feel differently (and that is okay). However, I think we can all agree that firearms do help release a lot of stress and create excitement. But they also come with responsibilities. So, before heading out to the shooting range, you should familiarize yourself with the etiquette of the range.

Observing Shooting Range Etiquette

With the excitement firearms bring, they also bring the obligation to stay safe while shooting and handling them. Safety is never something to joke about.

Since entering the gun world, I always held onto the subconscious fear of doing the wrong thing. I would never want to make a mistake that would endanger others. I try to be as careful as I can as I make my own personal mark in the sport of shooting. 

Something I never realized was a thing was gun etiquette. It almost seems silly—guns and the matter of manners. They do not seem like they belong together.

However, gun etiquette is not a matter of politeness at the dinner table. There are a few guidelines and hard rules everyone should abide by during their trips to the range.

Eye Protection

No one wants to get hurt, especially in accidents that can be avoided. Protective eyewear is essential to avoiding unwanted accidents. To be completely transparent, I did not wear eye protection the first time I shot a firearm. Knowing what I now know about the risks involved, I will never make that mistake again. 

Wearing proper eye protection ensures that when your firearm is discharged, excess gunpowder does not blow back and severely burn your eyes. It also protects your eyes when cartridges are ejected from firearms, keeping your precious peepers safe from dust and debris. 

Eye pro also protects from other potentially harmful things, such as splashback. Plus, wearing protective eyewear just flat out helps you see better. The lenses come in different colors, depending on your personal preference and setting. Dark lenses are great to protect your eyes from harsh glare, while yellow or amber lenses help improve sight.

“But Madison, can I just use my sunglasses and call it a day?”

Here’s the deal: sunglasses cannot withstand the same damage as protective eyewear. Yeah, they seem useful and can get the job done. However, protective eyewear is made to be impact-resistant and has shatter-proof benefits that sunglasses do not have.

Thankfully, I did not get hurt my first time shooting a firearm without wearing eyewear. But it could have been ended very differently. It is a situation I will never put myself in again if I can avoid it.

Think smart, and just wear your eyewear. Your eyeballs will thank you. 

Ear Protection

Ears are delicate and should be treated as such. Much like your eyes, you only get one pair. They are irreplaceable, so why not take the extra steps to ensure you can keep them forever?

Decibels are how we measure sound, and anything that measures above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing damage. Hearing loss is something I do not want to deal with. I am sure I am not the only one.

The fact is that guns are loud, and protecting the fragile bits in our ears is paramount. Ask any old timer at the range, and you will probably get a “huh?”

Loud noises damage our cochlea, a spiral-shaped bone found in the inner ear that plays a fundamental part in the sense of hearing. Over time, loud sounds damage the cells and membranes in the cochlea. When overworked, it can cause these cells to die, thus leading to permanent hearing loss as the exposure continues. 

For example, a 9mm handgun report typically produces around 160 decibels. Any loud noise at 120 decibels can immediately harm the ears and should be avoided at all costs. Wearing ear protection is the number one way to keep your ears safe. 

There are two types of ear protection to choose from: earplugs or “in ears” and earmuffs or “over ears.”

While earplugs fit snugly against the ear canal, earmuffs fit directly over the ear. It is all up to personal preference which ear protection is the best fit for each person. Some shooters double-plug—wearing both earplugs and earmuffs simultaneously.

The Golden Rule

Sometimes, rules are boring and seem useless, but they are there for a reason. The sport of shooting has many rules and regulations, but it does have a rule that is superior to all the others. Always treat your firearm as if it is loaded. Allow me to say that again: always treat your firearm as if it is loaded. 

Long before I dove into educating myself about firearms, I was taught at an early age always to treat every gun like it was armed and ready to go. Even if you see someone clear a firearm in front of you, check it again yourself.

It seems silly, but safety is never something to joke about. I would rather go above and beyond to make sure others around me are safe—including myself. The most common instances where an unintentional gun death occurred are playing with a gun, believing a gun was not loaded, and hunting accidents. I do not want to become a statistic, and neither should you. 

Think of it as an “I like you” gesture. Not pointing a gun at someone means you value them and their life, a nod of appreciation if you will. Accidents happen, and taking measures to be extra cautious of someone’s well-being is always appreciated. 

Dressing for the Range: More Than Just Fashion

I never thought clothing would matter in the sport of shooting until I started to shoot guns. Turns out, clothing does matter! And for good reason. Wearing the proper clothing can make or break your experience. I am happy to give a quick lesson on what to wear on the range.

Remember, it is always ideal to call your range ahead of time and see if they have a dress code. If they do not, it is best to dress like showing your skin is your number one enemy. The less skin you have visible, the less likely you are to go home with a burn.

Between the hot gases and debris associated with firing guns at the range and the very hot casings flying back at you at times, burns can happen very easily to any exposed areas of your body.

Long, comfortable pants are highly recommended. You want to be able to move around freely, so pants such as cargo or tactical pants are always welcome. Restrictive clothing isn’t a good option for going to the range.

For tops, sweatshirts are always a good idea or just stick with a plain long- or short-sleeve shirt. A side note to the ladies—avoid low-cut shirts that bring attention to your chest. Spaghetti-strapped shirts and tank tops are a big no-no and are a disaster waiting to happen. A burning hot, spent cartridge can easily find its way down an open shirt. 

Do not forget about the importance of keeping your feet safe. You want to avoid wearing open-toe shoes. So, yes, that means no flip-flops. Stick with boots or sneakers instead. It is always ideal to wear a hat to keep the top of your head protected. 

Shooting Range Safety for All

Gun etiquette is a fun lingo to pick up on once you understand it. It is there to keep you and everyone safe. Safety is the number one priority when dealing with firearms. As fun and exciting as guns are, they can be dangerous if used improperly. Therefore, it is important to follow the rules.

I consider safety to be directly linked to respect. I never realized how respectful people are in the gun community until I became a part of it. Everyone just wants to have fun and be safe. There are lines you do not cross, and I learned that respect is the key factor in not crossing those lines. 

There are two questions I ask myself when I begin to question if I’m being safe while handling a firearm.

First, am I respecting the people around me while the firearm is in my hands? Second, am I respecting myself with the firearm in my hands? Chances are, if the answer is yes, I am doing exactly what I need to do and can focus on having fun.

Mistakes happen. However, I have the proper tools to help prevent making certain mistakes that can potentially harm myself or others. Having the proper tools, whether having the correct gear or remembering not to point my firearm at someone accidentally, helps soothe any fears of doing the wrong thing and unintentionally hurting someone. 

Gun etiquette is not to say, “I am polite,” but instead, “I am safe, and so are you.”