Gun ranges are fun, they also provide good practice. Most people will never have to use a gun in self defense; they’re more likely to be used as a part of a hobby such as hunting or even plinking. Some people target shoot as a hobby. No matter why you bought your gun, and what you expect to use it for practice at gun ranges can make you more effective. Few of us in or around a city can shoot in our own property. Bigger and looser cities like Austin (not as population dense as some other cities) still don’t provide the sort of space and isolation you need to fire even a small caliber gun safely to most people. Gun ranges let people get that much needed practice in a safer environment. However, if you’re carrying a weapon for defense how much practice do you need?
As stated you’re likely to never fire a gun in defense or anger. Most likely you’ll use it to annihilate some cans. If you have a hand gun you’re not likely to use it for hunting, though there are exceptions to every generalization. However, if you’re carrying a firearm on you then you should be able to use it safely and effectively should the need arise. You want to know that if you have to use your gun to protect yourself you can draw it cleanly, that you can aim effectively, that the mechanism of the safety, and every bit of the gun, is automatic. Gun ranges can’t simulate the stress of the situation, but they can help you build the muscle memory that you don’t accidentally drop your gun when you go to protect yourself.
People drill and practice movements they need to do in times of stress so that in times of calm they can do them effectively. Gun ranges let you practice with a pistol or rifle depending on the range. If your goals are less defense and more for a hobby a gun range provides a controlled setting to get a lot of practice done. Even plinking can be improved with time at gun ranges, you’ll spend less time going back and forth to reset targets and will be able to see how far off you are or how on target you are. So, pick the shooting ranges in your area that offer what you want. Some may only offer handgun ranges, or some might not offer skeet shooting. Cities of any size, even the loosely populated Austin will offer gun ranges. Actually Austin is more likely to have gun ranges than some of the more heavily populated northern cities, they might have more people but their states have a lot more laws about firearms and a lot heavier restrictions.