PIRU, Calif. -- On Aug. 15 and 16, the Steel Challenge World Speedshooting Championships will be offering first-time shooters a free introduction to shooting and firearm safety.

Several First Shots® seminars will be held each day starting at 9 a.m. Visitors to the range in Piru will have an opportunity to learn from professional instructors firearm safety and the basics of how to get started in handgun shooting. Afterward, seminar participants will be able to walk the competition course and see some of the world's fastest shooters as they compete for the world speed shooting title.

Pre-registration is required. To pre-register, visit www.steelchallenge.com. Individuals under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Owned and managed by the U.S. Practical Shooting Association (USPSA), the Steel Challenge was developed in 1981 to determine the world's fastest shooter. Since its inception, the competition has seen competitors set new world records, only to see them fall -- sometimes in the same match. USPSA is one of many industry supporters of First Shots.

First Shots® is an introductory program that provides the public with opportunities to give shooting a try. Developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and hosted by independent shooting facilities, First Shots provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to handgun shooting by qualified range operators and instructors that includes handgun safety, local ownership requirements, shooting fundamentals, hands-on instruction and how and where to continue.

For more information, visit www.firstshots.org and www.steelchallenge.com.