Taking aim at a new hobby

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, national firearm ownership has grown exponentially. People are finding themselves owning firearms and then asking themselves where they can practice shooting. The surge in firearm sales in 2020 is expected to translate to even more sales this year. “America’s outdoor pastime experienced a renaissance in 2020 and signs indicate the trend will continue in 2021,” said Larry Keane, spokesperson for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, in a press release. This growth of interest in the world of firearms has prompted a new question: where can the rising population of Montanans go for safe, curated and effective instruction?

TACTIC, a company owned and founded by a former U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Forrest, strives to give the citizens of Bozeman the opportunity to feel safe and find success in handling a firearm. Courses such as Handgun 1, Carbine (short-barrel rifle) 1, Avoiding Violence, Women’s Only and Handgun Safety are some of the many classes available to the public. Expanding most recently into the discipline of shotgun shooting, TACTIC continues working to stay on top of the growing demand for instruction.

“With everything going on these days, it is important to know how to stay safe, and, if needed, protect oneself,” said Jason Lee, an MSU student and instructor at TACTIC. “Knowledge and training are the biggest deciding factors and TACTIC, in my opinion, represents one of the best firearms training companies in the area. In an industry in which the old adage ‘you get what you pay for,’ TACTIC delivers.”

Shooting sports allow individuals to work at their own pace and develop a skill set specific to their personal ambition, which provides an opportunity for students to get outside and learn something new while still social distancing. Whether it’s a national competition or recreational, there’s a kind of shooting designed for almost every situation. Many individuals use shooting for more personal reasons such as individual growth, mental tenacity and overall focus. “Shooting, for me, is an opportunity to focus on only the task at hand; to be able to momentarily ignore everything else, the stress of work, school and life,” Lee said.

For students looking to get involved in shooting sports, there are several free sources of information that can be found across multiple websites, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Firearm Industry Trade Association and T.Rex Arms. An especially helpful resource is TACTIC’s step-by-step guide, located free of charge on their website. Their guide clearly illustrates the different parameters to inspect when choosing a firearm.

Whether it’s to blow off steam, for competition or recreational entertainment, the most important thing to remember is to stay safe and have fun. For more information about classes offered by TACTIC visit their website, https://www.tacticmt.com.