When it comes to learning about shooting and firearms ownership, not knowing how or where to start can be an intimidating hurdle for newcomers.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is partnering with Texas Thunder Range to offer area residents a welcoming introduction to the safe, recreational use of handguns. Through a program called First Shots, first-time shooters can attend a free half-day session composed of classroom and range time.

Facts: Handguns in the U.S. Of the estimated 192 million gun owners, 65 million are handgun owners. One in every four households has one or more handguns. Handgun types owned: revolvers -- 31 million; semi-automatic -- 26 million; other -- 8 million. Handgun sales rose 3 percent in 2005. Firearm crimes, suicides and accidents are trending downward. There are 2.7 million active female handgun target shooters. Handgun target shooter demographics:81 percent male, 19 percent female; average income -- $68,800; average age -- 39; percent with education beyond high school -- 56 percent. 40 states allow concealed-carry handguns for personal protection. Handguns are legal for hunting in 48 states.