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{{Short description|Act or process of firing firearms or other projectile weapons}}
{{Other uses}}
[[File:Walton Eller at 2008 Summer Olympics double trap finals.JPG|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Glenn Eller]] surgery at [[2008 Summer Olympics]] [[double trap]] finals]]
[[File:Nancy Johnson (sport shooter) 4.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Olympic competitive [[air rifle]] shooting by [[Nancy Johnson (sport shooter)|Nancy Johnson]] in [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney 2000]]]]
'''Shooting''' is the act or process of discharging a [[projectile]] from a ranged weapon (such as a [[gun]], [[Bow and arrow|bow]], [[crossbow]], [[slingshot]], or [[Blowgun|blowpipe]]). Even the acts of launching [[Flamethrower|flame]], [[artillery]], [[Dart (missile)|dart]]s, [[harpoon]]s, [[grenade]]s, [[rocket]]s, and [[guided missile]]s can be considered acts of shooting. When using a [[firearm]], the act of shooting is often called '''firing''' as it involves initiating a [[combustion]] ([[deflagration]]) of chemical [[propellant]]s.
Shooting can take place in a [[shooting range]] or in the field, in [[shooting sports]], [[hunting]], or in [[combat]]. The person involved in the shooting activity is called a '''shooter'''. A skilled, accurate shooter is a ''[[marksman]]'' or ''[[sharpshooter]]'', and a person's level of shooting proficiency is referred to as their ''marksmanship''.
==Competitive shooting==
{{Main|Shooting sports}}
[[File:Presidentti Svinhufvud - 1234,0492.jpg|thumb|[[Pehr Evind Svinhufvud|P. E. Svinhufvud]], the third [[President of the Republic of Finland]], at shooting range of [[Kuopio]] in 1934.]]
Shooting has inspired competition, and in several countries rifle clubs started to form in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.researchpress.co.uk/wimbledon/wimbledon.htm |title=Wimbledon & the Volunteers |last=Minshall |first=David |year=2005 |publisher=researchpress.co.uk |access-date=17 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423040445/http://www.researchpress.co.uk/wimbledon/wimbledon.htm |archive-date=23 April 2012 }}</ref> Soon international shooting events evolved, including [[Shooting at the Summer Olympics|shooting at the Summer]] and [[biathlon|Winter Olympics]] (from 1896) and [[ISSF World Shooting Championships|World Championships]] (from 1897).<ref name=issf>{{cite web |url=http://www.issf-sports.org/theissf/history.ashx |title=The ISSF History |publisher=ISSF |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> The [[International Shooting Sport Federation]] still administers Olympic and non-Olympic rifle, pistol, shotgun, and running target shooting competitions, although there is also a large number of national and international shooting sports controlled by unrelated organizations.<ref name=issf/>
Shooting technique differs depending on factors like the type of firearm used (from a [[handgun]] to a [[precision rifle]]); the distance to and nature of the [[shooting target|target]]; the required precision; and the available time. Breathing and position play an important role when handling a handgun or a rifle. Some shooting sports, such as [[International Practical Shooting Confederation|IPSC]] shooting<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ipsc.org/ipsc/constitution.pdf |title=Constitution of the International Practical Shooting Confederation |date=January 2012 |publisher=IPSC |access-date=17 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919192107/http://ipsc.org/ipsc/constitution.pdf |archive-date=19 September 2013 }}</ref> and [[biathlon]] also include movement. The prone position, kneeling position, and standing position offer different amounts of support for the shooter.
== Hunting with guns ==
{{Main|Hunting and shooting in the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Print, 1866, by Edward Hacker (1813-1905), after Abraham Cooper, RA, (1787–1868), shooting scene, UK.jpg|thumbnail|Edward Hacker (1813–1905), after [[Abraham Cooper]], RA, (1787–1868), print of shooting, UK.]]
In the United Kingdom shooting often refers to the activity of [[hunting]] [[game birds]] such as [[grouse]] or [[common pheasant|pheasant]]s, or small game such as [[rabbiting|rabbits]], with guns.<ref name=dict/> A shooter is sometimes referred to as a "gun". Shooting may also refer to the [[culling]] of [[vermin]] with guns. [[Clay pigeon shooting]] is meant to simulate shooting [[pigeon]]s released from traps after live birds were banned in the United Kingdom in 1921.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cpsa.co.uk/the-association |title=The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) |publisher=Clay Pigeon Shooting Association |access-date=17 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910164826/https://www.cpsa.co.uk/the-association |archive-date=10 September 2013 }}</ref>
==Weapons==
Shooting most often refers to the use of a [[gun]] ([[firearm]] or [[air gun]]), although it can also be used to describe discharging of any ranged weapons like a [[Bow and arrow|bow]], [[crossbow]], [[slingshot]], or even [[Blowgun|blowpipe]].<ref name=dict>{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shooting?s=t |title=Shooting |publisher=dictionary.reference.com |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> The term "weapon" does not necessarily mean it is used as a combat tool, but as a piece of equipment to help the user best achieve the hit on their intended targets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/shooter?s=ts=t |title=Shooter |publisher=dictionary.reference.com |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref>
Shooting is also used in [[warfare]], [[self-defense]], [[crime]], and [[Law enforcement agency|law enforcement]]. [[Duel]]s were sometimes held using guns. Shooting without a target has applications such as [[celebratory gunfire]], [[21-gun salute]], or firing [[starting pistol]]s, incapable of releasing bullets.
==Restrictions==
{{also|Gun violence}}
In many countries, there are [[Gun control|restrictions]] on what kind of firearm can be bought and by whom, leading to debate about how effective such measures are and the extent to which they should be applied. For example, [[Gun politics in the United States|attitudes towards guns and shooting in the United States]] are very different from [[Gun politics in the United Kingdom|those in the United Kingdom]] and [[Gun laws in Australia|Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10220974 |title=Gun control and ownership laws in the UK |date=2 November 2010 |last=Casciani |first=Dominic |work=BBC News |access-date=17 December 2013}}</ref>
==Shooting positions==
{{howto|date=November 2022}}
The [[National Rifle Association of America]] defines '''four basic''' "competition" or "field" shooting positions. In order of steadiness/stability (the closer you get to the ground, the steadier you are), they are [[prone position|prone]], [[sitting]], [[Kneeling position|kneeling]], and [[standing]] (also called "offhand").<ref name="petersenshunting.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.petersenshunting.com/editorial/basic-shooting-positions-every-hunter-should-master/272545|title=Basic Shooting Positions Every Hunter Should Master|first=Craig|last=Boddington|date=October 30, 2015|website=Petersen's Hunting}}</ref>
Hythe positions (Hythe School of Musketry was formed in 1853 to teach the army how to use the rifle in kneeling and standing positions), American and French positions were known variations of the kneeling and standing positions utilised by their respective armies.<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41334509|jstor = 41334509|title = Journal of the Society for Arts, Vol. 9, no. 443|last1 = Le Neve Foster|first1 = P.|last2 = MacGregor|first2 = John|last3 = Scott|first3 = Wentworth L.|last4 = Rule|first4 = Barrow|journal = The Journal of the Society of Arts|year = 1861|volume = 9|issue = 443|pages = 473–490}}</ref>
Another common, but aided, shooting position is the [[Benchrest shooting|bench shooting position]]. There are also numerous shooting aids from monopods to tripods to sandbags and complete gun cradles.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
===Prone===
[[File:2020-01-08 IBU World Cup Biathlon Oberhof IMG 2590 by Stepro.jpg|thumb|Athletes fires from the prone position at a Biathlon competition]]
* The steadiest and by far the easiest to master. Done correctly, it can be as steady as shooting from a bench rest.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
* Probably the least used in the field because all too often, vegetation gets in the way and obscures the view.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
* Variations:<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
** classic – with the body at an angle (left for right-handed people, right for left-handed)
** modern – with the body more directly behind the rifle with the shooter's strong side leg slightly bent.
* Test for correct body position: wrap your arm into the hasty sling and drop down into prone, sighting at the target. Close your eyes. When you open them, you should still be aiming at the target. Otherwise, your position is off. Also, if the shooter's sight picture returns after the firm kicks to each muzzle, then body alignment is good. If not, adjustment is needed.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
* The usual advice is to use a sling for this position<ref name="welikeshooting.com">{{Cite web|last=Krieger|first=Aaron|date=October 2, 2012|title=Four Basic Shooting Positions|url=https://welikeshooting.com/tips-how-to/four-basic-shooting-positions/|access-date=2021-05-26|website=welikeshooting.com}}</ref>
* Aided prone position – prone with pack or bipod
===Sitting===
[[File:Posizione libera.jpg|thumb|An athlete fires from the sitting position at a Field Target (FT) shooting event]]
* This position is relatively easy to get into but more difficult to get out of quickly. It also provides clearance for low- or medium-height obstacles that would interfere with the prone position.
* The proper sitting position is extremely difficult to master.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
* Variations:<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
** open leg
** cross leg (aka pretzel style) – the steadiest sitting position.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
** cross ankle
* The test for correct body position is the same as prone.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
* The usual advice is to use a sling for this position.<ref name="welikeshooting.com"/>
* Aided sitting position – sitting with tripod
===Kneeling===
[[File:Spc. Sagen Maddalena and Mary Tucker at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games 50m rifle 3 position, July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (51348063567).jpg|thumb|Sagen Maddalena kneeling in the 50m rifle 3-position rifle event at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games]]
* There were numerous variations of the position throughout history.<ref name="auto"/>
* Best for shooters needing to shoot quickly, but it is a bit too far (or he is breathing a bit too hard) to risk a shot from the standing position.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
* Considerably steadier than standing position.
* For most people, this is not nearly as steady as sitting but is much faster to get into and out of.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
** For some people, this position can be almost as steady as the prone position.<ref name="welikeshooting.com"/>
* Strong-side knee is on the ground, weak-side knee and foot are pointing at the target, and weak-side knee is supporting the elbow (it is important for the bony tip of the elbow not to be planted on top of the knee cap since bone-on-bone contact allows for too much movement, or it can slip).
* Variations:<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
** sitting on strong-side foot
** with strong-side foot flat
** sitting on the strong-side foot's heel with the toes grounded
* The usual advice is to use a sling for this position.<ref name="welikeshooting.com"/>
* Aided kneeling position – kneeling with crossed sticks or tripod
===Standing (or offhand)===
* The quickest position to assume and is useful for quick shots and for shooting over objects.<ref name="welikeshooting.com"/>
* By far, it is the least steady of all positions. A common trait is a bit of sway in this position. The trick is learning to control the sway and fire when the shooter is at his steadiest. Breathing exercises help in maintaining the balance of the body in this position.
* The most difficult position to shoot from and to master. Mostly common among both air pistol and air rifle shooters shooting from different ranges (10 m, 25 m, 50 m).
* Stock fit is essential in standing, perhaps more than in any other position. The shooter needs to have his cheek firmly welded to the stock.
* Variations:<ref name="americanrifleman.org"/>
** squared toward the target – advantages of this technique are that it allows the shooter to absorb the rifle's recoil much more effectively, to run the bolt and get back on target quickly, which also places the shooter in a more aggressive stance that allows him to move in just about any direction, as his target requires.
** bladed stance of the rifle marksman
* The usual advice is not to use the sling for support in this position.<ref name="welikeshooting.com"/>
* Aided standing position
** Standing with sticks and stones
*** Three-legged shooting sticks are almost universal in Africa.
*** Whatever the shooter's comfortable range is for offhand shooting, sticks should double it.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/>
=== Rice paddy squat in rifle shooting ===
{{Main|Squatting position}}
The rice paddy squat (or rice paddy prone) position is a moderately stable position that supports both elbows, which makes it more stable than kneeling but keeps a high level of mobility. Its higher center of gravity is still be stable than sitting or prone. It was a traditionally-taught marksmanship position but lost popularity after the [[Korean War]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 14, 2020|title=How to Shoot a Rifle in the Squatting Position|url=https://www.everydaymarksman.co/marksmanship/squatting-position-rifle/|website=everydaymarksman.co}}</ref>
===Back (or supine)===
The position was sometimes referred to as the Creedmoor position and has a number of variations. It was known in the latter half of the 18th century and later revived by a small number of shooters in the 1860s with the introduction of competitive long range shooting at the NRA{{Which|date=April 2022}} rifle meetings. It continued in use into the 20th century for match riflemen. The position was really developed during the 1870s as a consequence of great interest in long-range shooting associated with the international matches. Back position provided the most stable platform for the rifle in those competitions where no artificial support, including slings, was permitted. It was even superior to shooting prone unsupported.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.researchpress.co.uk/index.php/marksmanship/art-of-shooting/the-back-position|title=The Back Position|first=David|last=Minshall|website=Research Press}}</ref>
===Lying on one's side===
Lying on one's side is not a normally-chosen position but may be a used when reacting to a threat, when may be used behind a barricade to present a very small target since only the gun hand and a piece of one's face are normally exposed, with the rest covered by the barricade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.offthegridnews.com/self-defense/4-unconventional-shooting-positions-you-must-practice/|title=4 Unconventional Shooting Positions You Must Practice|first=Adam|last=C|date=November 7, 2013|website=Off The Grid News}}</ref>
===Leaning===
Theis positon ivolves a shooter leaning on something like a wall, a tree or post. The rifle barrel should not be rested against it because it is steadier to lean the body.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bestpracticeguides.org.uk/firearms/firing-positions/|title=Firing positions | Best Practice Guidance|date=27 January 2018 }}</ref> It's usually combined with standing and kneeling positions.
==Slings==
;Shooting sling
[[File:Shooting at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 50 metre rifle three positions 3.jpg|thumb|A sling is visible around the athlete's left wrist, allowing the arm to relax and let the sling carry the rifle's weight]]
The sling is used to create isometric pressure to increase steadiness. While the use of a sling is of questionable value in shooting from the standing position, it is very much worth using from kneeling, sitting, or prone. It is also used in back position, and the sling is then looped around the foot and takes the recoil.<ref name="auto1"/> Proper use of the sling locks the rifle into the body and enhances that solid foundation so critical to delivering an accurate shot.
;;Hasty sling
A type of shooting sling. All positions are strengthened through the use of a ''hasty sling''. The formal ''tight sling'' is detached from the rear sling swivel and tightened above the bicep of the supporting arm. Almost any carrying strap can be used in the ''hasty sling'' mode. There is often a compromise between the most comfortable "carry" length for shooter's sling and the ideal tension for a ''hasty sling''. The steadiness achieved is almost as good as a ''tight competition sling'', and it is much faster.<ref name="petersenshunting.com"/><ref name="americanrifleman.org">{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Jim|date=2016-03-24|title=Getting the Most Out of Field Shooting Positions|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/3/24/getting-the-most-out-of-field-shooting-positions/|access-date=2021-05-26|website=americanrifleman.org}}</ref>
==Competitions==
In [[International Shooting Sport Federation|ISSF]] shooting events, 3 out of 7 shooting positions are used. Positions not used are supine, sitting, rice paddy squat, and side position.
[[World Benchrest Shooting Federation|WBSF]] governs [[benchrest shooting]].
[[International Practical Shooting Confederation|IPSC]] shooting events use prone, offhand and supported shooting positions.
There are some competitions, such as [[felthurtigskyting]], in which shooting position is freestyle. That means that the shooter decides which one of the four positions they'll use.
==See also==
{{Commons category|People shooting firearms}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Wiktionary}}
* [[Direct fire]]
* [[Indirect fire]]
* [[History of the firearm]]
* [[Shooting targets]]
* [[ISSF World Cup]]
* [[Shootout]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{martial arts}}
{{Firearms}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Shooting| ]]
[[Category:Projectile weapons]]
[[Category:Marksmanship|*]]
[[Category:Combat]]
[[Category:Hunting methods]]
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