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Hitting the Mark

On Target Shooting Sports hits the bullseye on education, training and safety

Article by Scott Bell

Photography by Plum Poppy Photography

Originally published in Gallatin Lifestyle

For someone who has never stepped foot into a gun shop before, the simple act of walking in can actually be quite the intimidating task. The unknowns of where to begin can be daunting. While this doesn’t have to be everyone’s experience, many gun shops out there simply perpetuate the tough guy image and reinforce the negative stereotypes. On Target Shooting Sports in Hermitage certainly works hard to break those stereotypes. When designing their new facility which opened in November 2022, they focused an immense amount of resources on ensuring new and seasoned gun owners had a warm and welcoming location that they felt could benefit everyone.

When you think about a gun shop or shooting range, safety, training and education may not be the first things that come to mind either. But for OTSS, these things are the foundation of every interaction and are the focus and priority every day as they work to instill these same characteristics into every individual who walks through their doors.

The mission of On Target Shooting Sports amplifies those very actionable items as well. OTSS encourages gun ownership and strengthens the Second Amendment through support and education beginning with a person's firearm purchase. The team at OTSS encourages gun owners to learn and expand their knowledge and skills regarding firearms and personal protection in order to equip gun owners for personal protection and to be better advocates in the community in support of the Second Amendment.

OTSS sets the bar high compared to other ranges in the area with their professionalism, expertise and making sure each individual who steps foot in their store has a great experience. First time gun ownership, particularly among women, has been on the rise for the last several years at a record pace. There’s a lot of misleading information readily available and for a new shooter, at times it’s difficult to weed out the bad from the good. The team at OTSS works hard to earn the trust of new and seasoned customers and strives to be the go-to source of information and offer expert guidance for each individual in a non-judgmental way.

In the retail store, you can find a wide range of standard and specialized firearms, ammunition, optics, accessories and gear. Accompanying the store is the in-house, indoor, state-of-the-art range. The range truly is the standard of indoor ranges in our area and beyond. In designing and building it, no expense was spared and it shows from the lighting to the ventilation to even the noise dampening; all items come together for one of the most enjoyable range experiences in the country and we are lucky enough to have it in our own backyard!

On Target Shooting Sports also hosts multiple competitions, organizations and leagues as well. OTSS hosts IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) matches twice a month and they’re home to two chapters of A Girl and A Gun women’s shooting league. In addition to recreational leagues, OTSS offers many educational classes like the Tennessee Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit class and a Basic Firearms Safety class that is free and essential for every gun owner. OTSS also recently launched their comprehensive Defensive Shotgun and AR (ArmaLite) introduction classes.

As Kristin Benton from OTSS explains, “we want to make firearm ownership approachable and easy for everyday Americans and then walk side-by-side with our customers as gun ownership becomes a part of their lifestyle through training and education.”

As On Target Shooting Sports continues to grow, Kristin and the team say they’re looking forward to connecting with more organizations and companies in the area to offer the chance for teams to learn and grow through shooting sports and personal protection. Aside from education and doing all they can to promote safe and responsible gun ownership, OTSS will continue to offer the best retail and range experience around while upholding the highest quality training from instructors who are dedicated to the continuation of their own development.

Being a responsible gun owner takes much more than simply showing up or just owning a gun. It requires an ongoing commitment to knowledge, training and staying up to date with current trends in industry safety. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter, first time gun owner or somewhere in between, we are fortunate to have On Target Shooting Sports as our advocate for advice, services, firearms and educational courses in our area. By providing a welcoming environment that isn’t always the focus of other ranges around us, OTSS is a place where those negative stereotypes are broken and where taking that first step through the door will make you feel right at home.

@ontargetshootingsports, 4803 Old Hickory Blvd, Hermitage

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