Welcome to A Great Start Shooting School!

Are you ready to go from clueless to confident around guns?

Gun accidents happen because of a lack of education. Learn gun safety at a private firearm range with a certified gun instructor, mother, competitive shooter, and safety officer. Gift yourself the skills you need to confidently handle firearms.
Can't decide? Book a free 10 minute call with instructor Brooke Cheney.
Free 10 Minute CallSchedule a Private Lesson
A Great Start Shooting School owner Brooke Cheney with bike
photo of Brooke and his trainer
3 firearm training students at A Great Start Shooting School
Brooke Cheney
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Firearms Classes Offered by A Great Start Shooting School

A Great Start Shooting School is a local Connecticut firearm range run by women for women (although we also teach men and children). Learn at your own pace at our private outdoor gun range with the help of a female NRA certified instructor, range officer, IDPA safety officer, and training counselor.

Avoid the crowds, noise, and distractions of public ranges at our secluded Harwinton shooting school. We provide training for every skill level – from learning how to load and unload a firearm safely to drawing from a holster and learning how to shoot on the move at moving targets! We're confident that you can find the right course for you.

Why should you choose A Great Start Shooting School?

2014
Company Founded
10+
Years Experience
500+
Students Trained
75+
Pistol Permit Classes Conducted
Go from clueless
to confident
shooting targets
holly with shooting target
Brooke Cheney and students
Hey, since you’ve scrolled this far, I’d love to help you figure out your training needs. Whether you simply want to understand the guns you have in your home or you’re planning to get into self-defense or target shooting, you need to build a solid foundation. That’s where we come in – to give you “a great start” to your relationship with guns. 

Click the description that fits you best!
I want to get my pistol permit and need to take a class. Check out our CT Pistol Permit class!
I have shot a gun before but I am not that comfortable handling one. Consider our Gun Handling and Shooting course.
I want to buy a new gun but I don’t know what to get. Our class Find Your Perfect Gun was created just for you.
I’m interested in action sports, shooting and moving on a gun firing range, or just want to discover more.
Need Extra Help?
Free 10 Minute Call
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Meet Your Firearms Instructor, Brooke Cheney

My name is Brooke Cheney. I have over ten years of experience as a certified firearms instructor and safety officer. I am also a competitive shooter and perpetual student.

But I wasn’t always this confident around guns.

While I grew up around guns, whenever I went to the firearm range, it was the same story: I was handed a gun, I pulled the trigger, and then I handed it back to the person who brought me.

I had no clue how to load or unload a gun. I couldn’t tell you what I was shooting or even if I hit the targets.

But in 2007, I found myself home with two small children, knowing that there were guns in the house and that I needed to learn more. I didn't want myself or my children to add to the statistics of people who harm themselves with their own firearms.

So, I started training. I never imagined then that I would learn enough to be able to help other women do the same…
Learn More About Brooke Cheney
Get updates on upcoming classes & availability!
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A Great Start Shooting School offers pistol permit and firearm training classes custom fit, just for you.
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