NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms industry, is pleased to announce that it has awarded its highest Five-Star rating for range excellence to Kings Gun and Archery Center.

Located in the California town of Hanford, the county seat of Kings County in the scenic south-central San Joaquin valley, this facility boasts two eight-lane firearms ranges, one bay at 20 yards and one at 25 yards. Both are primarily for handgun use, though the longer range is capable of handling rifle calibers up to .223. A regulation 20-yard archery range is also available. Both sports are supported by a well-stocked, 3,100 square-foot pro shop that focuses on firearms and ammunition sales backed by plenty of accessories for both archery and firearms shooting sports disciplines.

Open to the public, Kings Gun and Archery Center drives active participation through a variety of programs and services. Memberships are available for individuals and families by the month or the year, and it also has special memberships for law enforcement, active duty military and retired veterans. Dozens of handguns and rifles are available for rental, with a unique “10 for $10” program — $10 lets a client fire 10 rounds from the rental version of the firearm they’re looking to purchase — that naturally fosters and supports its thriving pro shop sales. There’s a strong emphasis on safety and training as well, with classes ranging from those for CCW applications and NSSF’s First Shots program to night shooting, NRA’s Eddie Eagle youth program, quick-draw instruction and rapid-fire classes, plus CPR, first aid and weekly archery instruction.

“One of the hallmarks of our Five-Star ranges is their well-roundedness, and that surely describes Kings Gun and Archery Center,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Shooting Range Services. “This range recognizes and cultivates the mutual interests of both firearms and archery shooters through a beautifully balanced combination of facilities and provisions for both while promoting goodwill and community spirit through different events that support charitable organizations. It’s this kind of cross-interest accommodation and community engagement that fosters participation in the shooting sports, and for that Kings Five-Star rating is much deserved.”

“Throughout the building process in 2015, we wanted to make sure we qualified for the 5-Star program through NSSF,” said Todd Cotta, President of Kings Gun Center. “The approval process allowed us an opportunity to review our internal policies and procedures to make us even better at what we do here as a gun store and range. We are very thankful and humbled by our acceptance as a Five-Star range by NSSF.”

NSSF’s highly respected Star-Rating Range Program works to encourage ranges of all sizes and locations to excel. Applying for rating requires answering a comprehensive questionnaire and business owner self-evaluation of the facilities, staff, community outreach and other criteria. Ranges that appear to meet the criteria for Four- or Five-Star rating receive an on-site evaluation by NSSF staff. NSSF member ranges that meet a Three-Star rating are recognized for being a part of the Star-Rating range family and are provided guidance to improve their facilities and achieve the higher two ratings. For more information, including instructions on how to apply for NSSF’s Star-Rating Range Program, contact Zach Snow at zsnow@nssf.org.

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About NSSF

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Media contact:

Bill Brassard

203-426-1320