A Republican congressman shared a video on Sunday to clarify how a break-action shotgun functions after being criticized for not adhering to fundamental firearm safety guidelines.
Rep. Troy Downing from Montana posted two pictures from a hunting trip aimed at upland game birds on Saturday. One of the images depicted him with the shotgun’s muzzle seemingly directed towards his wife’s head. Following backlash regarding this photo, Downing then shared a video explaining the mechanics of the shotgun in question.
“Since some folks are confused, here’s a quick firearm PSA! As a combat veteran and lifelong outdoorsman, let me educate some of my friends on how a break-action shotgun actually works,” Downing stated above a 28-second video.
In the video, which features Downing dressed in hunting gear, he holds what appears to be the same shotgun shown in the earlier photo. He did not reply to a request for comments from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Since some folks are confused, here’s a quick firearm PSA! As a combat veteran and lifelong outdoorsman, let me educate some of my friends on how a break-action shotgun actually works. #SafetyFirst https://t.co/qjvROtCDgN
— Congressman Troy Downing (@RepTroyDowning) October 25, 2026
“Hey, for those of you who may not understand how a break-action shotgun works,” Downing began. “Well, first of all, as a kid, I learned never to hand someone a firearm if it’s loaded.”
Continuing, he said, “A break-action should never be handed to someone unless it’s open. If it’s open, it can’t fire. I check inside to confirm that there are no shells before passing it to someone else.”
Many users on X criticized Downing for his apparent disregard for the basic safety rule, with one citing a notable hunting incident involving then-Vice President Dick Cheney in 2006, where Cheney accidentally shot a companion with his shotgun.
“If the gun’s closed, always assume it’s loaded,” remarked Downing. “Ensure the muzzle is never aimed at anything you don’t wish to destroy, and when hiking or moving around—if you’re not actively shooting—make certain it’s safe and cannot be fired.”
On Saturday, Republican candidate Brandon Herrera, known on social media as the “AK Guy,” criticized Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss for an advertisement supporting a gun-control law pending a referendum in Massachusetts.
“Imagine paying a political consulting firm to create an ad, but nobody bothers to fact-check what you say,” Herrera commented in a post on X. “What he’s demonstrating here is already a federal crime. What a joke.”
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota appeared to struggle with loading a semi-automatic shotgun at the annual Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.
