Free seminars teach firearm safety, target-shooting
fundamentals

“First Shots” handgun classes offered Feb. 9-11 at Ben Avery Shooting Facility
By Tristanna Bickford, hunter recruitment and retention coordinator, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Are you interested in learning about recreational handgun shooting and firearm safety, but don’t know where to start?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is partnering with the National Shooting Sports Foundation to offer a welcoming introduction to the safe, recreational use of handguns. First-timers, novices or experienced shooters wanting a refresher are welcome to attend a free four-hour “First Shots” class.

Each class covers the rules and regulations of handgun ownership, instruction in firearm safety, and information on shooting sports opportunities. Participants will also have the opportunity to try hands-on shooting in a safe environment on the shooting range, supervised by qualified instructors.

Classes will be held at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix on the following dates:

• Friday, Feb. 9 – 5 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 10 – 8 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, Feb. 10 – 1 to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 11 – 8 a.m. to noon
• Sunday, Feb. 11 – 1 to 5 p.m.

The class is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, please e-mail Tristanna Bickford at tbickford@azgfd.gov or call (623) 236-7241. Please provide your contact information, and indicate which class date and time you would like to register for.

The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is located at 4044 W. Black Canyon Blvd. in Phoenix (enter from Carefree Highway just west of I-17).

For more information about the First Shots program, visit the First Shots Web site at firstshots.org.