05-31-2009, 11:12 AM
LYONS, Ill. -- Midwest Sporting Goods in Lyons, in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), is offering area residents two free introductions to handgun ownership, safety and shooting.
Facts: Handguns in the U.S.
Of the estimated 192 million privately owned firearms in the U.S., 65 million - or about one-third of the total - are handguns.
Handgun types owned: revolvers (31 million); semi-automatic (26 million); other (8 million).
Handgun sales rose 8.5 percent in 2005.
One in every four U.S. households has one or more handguns.
48 states allow concealed carry.
Firearm crimes, suicides and accidents are on a long-term downward trend.
Handguns are legal for hunting in 48 states.
Handgun target shooter demographics: male - 81 percent, female - 19 percent; average annual income - $68,000; average age - 39; education beyond high school - 56 percent.
10 percent of handgun sales revenues, and 11 percent of handgun ammunition sales revenues, are excise taxes earmarked for conservation via the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.
The seminars, titled First Shots, will be held Saturday, October 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Midwest Sporting Goods, 8565 Plainfield Rd. in Lyons. Pre-registration is required by contacting the range at (708) 447-4848.
The seminars, designed for first-time shooters, include classroom and range time.
"We're offering these clinics for people who have never shot a gun but would like to. There are a lot of people who are interested in shooting, but don't have friends or family members to show them how. These seminars will give them safe instruction into the shooting sports," said Noel Incavo of Midwest Sporting Goods.
"When it comes to learning about recreational shooting, not knowing how or where to start can be an intimidating hurdle for newcomers," said Cyndi Dalena of NSSF, which sponsors First Shots seminars around the country.
Dalena said First Shots events have provided thousands of people with basic handgun ownership requirements, safety information, recreational shooting opportunities, individual and group training and welcoming opportunities to give shooting a try.
The Lyons facility is the first range in Illinois to offer First Shots seminars.
First Shots is one of many NSSF programs working to increase awareness of and participation in the shooting sports. For more information on First Shots, visit www.firstshots.org.
NSSF, founded in 1961, is the trade association for the firearms and recreational shooting sports industry and promotes the safe ownership and responsible use of products its members make and sell. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.
Facts: Handguns in the U.S.
Of the estimated 192 million privately owned firearms in the U.S., 65 million - or about one-third of the total - are handguns.
Handgun types owned: revolvers (31 million); semi-automatic (26 million); other (8 million).
Handgun sales rose 8.5 percent in 2005.
One in every four U.S. households has one or more handguns.
48 states allow concealed carry.
Firearm crimes, suicides and accidents are on a long-term downward trend.
Handguns are legal for hunting in 48 states.
Handgun target shooter demographics: male - 81 percent, female - 19 percent; average annual income - $68,000; average age - 39; education beyond high school - 56 percent.
10 percent of handgun sales revenues, and 11 percent of handgun ammunition sales revenues, are excise taxes earmarked for conservation via the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.
The seminars, titled First Shots, will be held Saturday, October 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Midwest Sporting Goods, 8565 Plainfield Rd. in Lyons. Pre-registration is required by contacting the range at (708) 447-4848.
The seminars, designed for first-time shooters, include classroom and range time.
"We're offering these clinics for people who have never shot a gun but would like to. There are a lot of people who are interested in shooting, but don't have friends or family members to show them how. These seminars will give them safe instruction into the shooting sports," said Noel Incavo of Midwest Sporting Goods.
"When it comes to learning about recreational shooting, not knowing how or where to start can be an intimidating hurdle for newcomers," said Cyndi Dalena of NSSF, which sponsors First Shots seminars around the country.
Dalena said First Shots events have provided thousands of people with basic handgun ownership requirements, safety information, recreational shooting opportunities, individual and group training and welcoming opportunities to give shooting a try.
The Lyons facility is the first range in Illinois to offer First Shots seminars.
First Shots is one of many NSSF programs working to increase awareness of and participation in the shooting sports. For more information on First Shots, visit www.firstshots.org.
NSSF, founded in 1961, is the trade association for the firearms and recreational shooting sports industry and promotes the safe ownership and responsible use of products its members make and sell. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.