In the News: Blast Exposure from Indoor Target Shooting

Civilian firearms fired at indoor ranges may expose a shooter's brain to damaging blast waves. This New York Times article by Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Dave Philipps and Jeremy White shows blast overpressures recorded at an indoor range and raises questions about their safety.

Target Shooting Could Be Causing Brain Injuries.

We Measured the Danger.

By Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Dave Philipps and Jeremy White Cinematography by Zach Caldwell and Jonah Markowitz Nov. 3, 2025

Discussions in online shooting forums show that shooting enthusiasts regularly mention concussion-like symptoms, but talk about the risk of brain injury is rare. Post-shooting symptoms like headaches, fatigue and brain fog, which may be related to a brain injury, are often attributed instead to noise, tight-fitting protective gear, dehydration or poor ventilation.