Summary: New research reveals the roadmap for gaining local support for new and expanded ranges by leveraging economic data and community-focused safety messaging.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (SAF), in partnership with Southwick Associates, have announced the release of a comprehensive research project titled “Boosting Local Support for New and Expanded Shooting Ranges.” This study provides a data-driven roadmap for industry professionals, business owners, and state agencies to navigate the hurdles of range development by understanding public perception and highlighting the immense economic value these facilities bring to local communities.
“Many state and private range operators face significant hurdles in gaining the required public support to build or expand shooting ranges, and this research report provides them with the facts surrounding the immense economic impact these facilities drive for local communities,” said Evan Heusinkveld, Sportsmen’s Alliance president and CEO. “The report also further demonstrates common concerns range developers face, and the messages that best resonate with non-shooters to ease those concerns.”
The Multi-Billion Dollar Impact
- Economic Output: Target shooting is a major economic driver, generating $144.2 billion in total national output.
- Local Fiscal Benefits: Facilities nationwide contribute $8.4 billion in state and local tax revenue and support over 787,500 jobs.
- Conservation Funding: Excise taxes on firearms and equipment generate over $1 billion annually for wildlife restoration and conservation.
Bridging the Support Gap
- Safety as a Common Language: Safety is the top priority for all demographics. Both owners and non-owners agree that ranges provide a safer environment for shooting than informal locations like backyards or gravel pits.
- Key Advantages Identified:
- Essential opportunities for public gun safety education (rated 62/100).
- Critical training grounds for local law enforcement (rated 57/100).
- Addressing Local Concerns: The report provides strategies to mitigate top concerns like noise and user training, specifically for outdoor facilities where concern levels are roughly 30% higher than for indoor ranges.
Free Tools for Range Operators & Advocates
Use our interactive tool to calculate the exact spending, jobs, and tax revenues a local range brings to your specific state.
Key Research Findings
- What are the benefits of local shooting ranges? Ranges offer a controlled environment for target shooting, provide law enforcement with training facilities, and create a centralized location for gun safety education—which 62% of respondents viewed as a significant benefit.
- How do shooting ranges impact the local economy? Beyond providing jobs, target shooting generates billions in tax revenue. Operators can use the Shooting Range Economic Impact Calculator to estimate specific local contributions to GDP and state taxes.
- How can developers increase support for new ranges? Success depends on “safety-first” messaging. Highlighting qualified personnel, safety protocols, and the use of range experts in imagery resonates strongly across all demographic types.
This Project was funded by a Multistate Conservation Grant, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and jointly administered with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
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