Of course the shooting sports community is about an appreciation if not a strong passion for all that is firearms. Only gun people can get into a lengthy discussion about calibers, or to compare different brands of alike attachments or other accessories. It is a willing commitment and dedication to this outdoor sports that brings people together because it is a social activity. A meeting of like minded people. And, quite honestly, shooting is fun, even if it often about lines on sheets of paper, or the surface of a metal or plastic plate.

Firearm enthusiasts like range time, but they also like to talk about it. And sometimes, that spills over into politics and a plethora of societal issues. I can only imagine with those opposed gun ownership discuss in their free time – probably not as fun.

Then, there is the environmental aspect. Very much like fishing or even hiking, going to an outdoor range is time outside around nature. Sun, sky and once again, among friends. For those who spend their weekdays cooped up indoors for work, shooting is a welcome change. Relaxing, if not stress relieving.

And, like golf or other social sports and hobbies, spending time at a gun club or in a gun shop provide a nice social outlet for folks. It is a place to build camaraderie. Of course, with hitting the bullseye comes bragging right, but for me, it’s the time spent that matters more than the results. For many, fine tuning one’s accuracy is important, while for others, they can care less. Making good memories is worth more.

The experiences are different depending where in the country you are – North or South, East or West – in the cold or in the humid heat, or alternatively deep in the dry and dusty desert environment, or in the woods somewhere. The setting impacts the event, but its all enjoyable. That’s why people exercise this freedom.

@tetragun @tetraguncare

#gun #guns #firearm #firearms #shootingsports #handgun #rifle #shotgun #gunrange #nra #uscca #2a