On a quiet practice range far from the noise of Spartan Stadium, members of the Michigan State University Shooting Club focus on discipline, control and trust. They believe these elements are often ignored in discussions about shooting sports.

For this student-run club, which competes in rifle, air rifle and shotgun disciplines, practices emphasize structure and accountability. Club leaders say these aspects are key to correcting common misconceptions that shooting sports are unregulated or unsafe.

“Safety is the first thing we cover before anyone shoots,” said Anna Schneider, Vice President of the rifle team. “At the first practice, we don’t even use live ammo.”

Schneider explained that new members begin by learning to handle firearms, position themselves and understand what to expect at the range before moving on to competition. Empty chamber indicators are mandatory when rifles are not in use, actions must remain open and shooters must follow strict commands before anyone goes downrange.

Rifle shooting also demands mental discipline. Shooters compete under time limits, managing their breathing and focus while aiming at targets roughly the size of a coin from 10 meters away.

“It’s almost meditative,” Schneider said. “If you have a bad shot, you let it go. Every shot is new.”

On the shotgun side, Social Chair Parker Shay noted that safety training is just as important, especially for beginners. New members often spend weeks learning proper handling before they compete.

“We focus on keeping fingers off the trigger, muzzle discipline, and ensuring actions are open,” Shay said. “The barrel should never point at anything you don’t intend to shoot.”

Shay added that shotgun shooting relies more on hand-eye coordination than aiming down sights. The club uses simulators to help members practice movement and accuracy without using live ammo.

“This sport is safer than a lot of people realize,” Shay said. “Once someone learns the rules, they don’t forget them. Safety always comes before competition.”