FAQ’s

Stoddard’s Range and Guns welcomes shooters of all levels. So, if you are new to shooting, you can choose any one, or combination, of the following offerings:

• Take our 30-minute Range Safety Orientation ($35 in Midtown, $35 in Douglasville)*
• Purchase a New Shooter Package, which includes: Firearm Safety Orientation, Gun Rental(s), one hour of Lane Time, one box of ammunition, one target, one set of eye and ear protection (this saves as much as 20% if purchased separately).
• Enroll in our beginner Handgun One, Rifle One, and/or Shotgun One course
• Schedule a private training session with one of our certified instructors

Stoddard’s Range Safety Orientation is 30-minutes and covers the five basic firearm safety rules, a cursory overview of marksmanship fundamentals, and our range rules. It includes the safe and proper loading and unloading of a handgun, rifle or shotgun, respectively. This orientation is not designed to teach customers “how to shoot”; it is designed to grant a fair opportunity to demonstrate the safe operation of the firearm(s) you intend to shoot.

Handgun or Rifle New Shooter Package: $69.00 Midtown; $69 Douglasville (ammo not included)

Handgun plus Rifle New Shooter Package: $89.00 Midtown; $89 Douglasville (ammo not included)

Before being permitted to use any of our range services, we require all shooters new to our ranges (regardless of their level of experience – including avid shooters and active and retired law enforcement officers and military) to demonstrate that they can safely load and unload the firearm(s) they intend to shoot without violating any of the universal Firearm Safety Rules. Please do not be offended by this, we apply our rules without discrimination to ensure the safety of everyone on the range.

Therefore, upon your initial visit to either of our ranges (Midtown or Douglasville) you will be asked to observe the following steps:

1. Complete an electronic liability waiver (this can be done either on our website or in-store), which includes an understanding of our range rules.
2. Present a valid government issued photo ID to the range services team member.
3. Successfully complete a firearms safety and operation proficiency counter test (“Counter Proficiency Test”).

NOTE: If you do not successfully pass the Counter Proficiency Test, we will ask you to complete either a 30-minute Range Safety Orientation or any other Stoddard’s Firearm training course of your choosing.

Yes. You just need to present a government-issued photo ID (such as a passport). You need to be at least 18 to shoot a rifle or shotgun and 21 to shoot a handgun. A minor who is 10 or older with a parent or guardian is eligible to shoot a handgun, rifle or shotgun, provided the parent or guardian passes the Counter Proficiency Test.

We have over one hundred handguns and rifles for rent and, for one low price, you can rent any one of our many firearms. To be clear, for just one rental gun fee and no additional cost, you can exchange your rental gun for another as many times as you like.  

NOTE: Ammunition is not included in the rental cost and we require you to purchase ammunition from us for rental guns.

The Counter Proficiency Test is a quick and simple procedure we conduct to measure a customer’s safe handling of the firearm(s) they intend to shoot at our range. We require ALL new customers, regardless of their level of experience, to successfully demonstrate the complete loading and unloading procedure of each type of firearm they intend to shoot without breaking any of the universal firearm safety rules which we have posted at the Range Services Desk.  Please do not be offended by this, we apply our rules without discrimination to ensure the safety of everyone on the range.

The 30-minute Range Safety Orientation is offered at the beginning of the hour, every hour between 11:00AM – 6:00PM (Monday through Saturday), and from 11:00A to 5:00PM (Sundays).

No. But we do suggest that you arrive at the store 30 minutes before the start of the class to allow yourself adequate time to sign a safety waiver, have your customer profile created, and tell the range associate which gun(s) you’d like to rent.

Stoddard’s Range Safety Orientation is a 30-minute presentation covering the five basic firearm safety rules followed by a cursory overview of several marksmanship fundamentals and an explanation of our range’s rules and services. The orientation concludes with a brief demonstration of the safe and proper loading and unloading of a handgun, rifle or shotgun, respectively. It’s important to know that is NOT a training academy class. This class is not designed to teach customers “how to shoot.” The purpose of the Range Safety Orientation is to grant you a fair opportunity to demonstrate that you can safely operate the firearm(s) you intend to shoot. In a Stoddard’s Training Academy class  (e.g., Handgun One, Rifle One or Everyday Handgun) the instructor will observe a structured curriculum designed to help you develop your marksmanship skills.

Yes. $35.00 per participant at our Douglasville location and $35.00 per participant at our Midtown location.

Classes vary in cost. See www.stoddardsguns.com/stoddards-training-academy/ for details and to sign up for class. Be sure to choose the preferred Stoddard’s location on our website before signing up. Details for the classes are also available on our website.

Private sessions scheduled on week days (Monday – Thursday) are $125 per hour, per participant.

Private sessions scheduled on the weekend (Friday – Sunday) are $150 per hour, per participant.

Private sessions booked with a Senior or Master Instructor range between $150 – $250 per hour.

We ask that you book private sessions in-person or by calling the store directly.

You can register for a class either in-store or online at www.stoddardsguns.com/stoddards-training-academy.

To register in store, simply go to the Stoddard’s location at which you wish to train (Midtown or Douglasville) and explain to the sales associate that you’d like to enroll in a course. The associate will then assist you in identifying the course that would best suit your needs or interest, and then assist in enrolling you in the course(s) of your choosing.

Yes. To “test out” of a class’s prerequisites, contact the Training Department and ask to take the Exemption Exam for the respective class that you do wish to take. You will then be scheduled to take both the practical and written exams, and upon successful completion of both with a passing score of 90% or higher on both exams, and then satisfying the respective testing fees, you will then be permitted to enroll in the course.

If you’re having difficulty enrolling in a course online, please refresh the page and attempt once more. If you’re still having trouble, please call the store (Midtown or Douglasville) offering the course you wish to take and ask to speak with an instructor or manager to further assist you.

NOTE: You are welcome to email us, but you will likely receive a faster response with a phone call.

All students are entitled to a full refund for a cancellation if notified one week or more prior to the scheduled class day. If the cancellation is notified less than one week prior to the class day, a full credit toward another class will be issued. If the cancellation is notified less than 48 hours prior to the class day, no refund or credit will be issued.

The new shooter package includes a Range Safety Orientation, range time, gun rental, ear protection, eye protection, target and one box of ammo per gun type. The new shooter package is designed to save you money when you need to take the Range Safety Orientation, so it will be the most cost effective route to go if you need the orientation. By bundling these items, you will save up to 20% from purchasing all of these items separately.  

Not all of our classes grant certificates. But, for those that do, students will receive either a Certificate of Participation or a Certificate of Achievement. Certificates of Achievement are presented to those who successfully complete the course with a passing grade.

Yes. Though a firearm rental is included in your class, you may use your own instead.

• Course instruction (varies by course)
• Firearm rental
• Ear protection
• Eye protection
• Targets

Ammunition is not included in any classes

See www.stoddardsguns.com/stoddards-training-academy/ for more details.

Yes. We offer women’s specific classes twice each month, at each location.

NOTE: The class is gender-specific but the instructor may be male.

Yes. We offer a Young Guns Handgun and Rifle class twice a month. The minimum age is 10 year. Parents must also enroll in the class and their child in the course, and take the class with their child.

The prescribed prerequisites for all courses can be found at www.stoddardsguns.com/stoddards-training-academy/) or by emailing us at training@stoddardsguns.com.

You will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, comfortable attire, and be prepared to purchases at least one box of ammunition. Be sure to check the “Gear List” for the course as stated within the courses description at www.stoddardsguns.com/stoddards-training-academy/.

Handgun One; Rifle One; and/or Shotgun One, respectively.

Any Intermediate course or block of instruction.

Our Advanced course or block of instruction.