Proper Firearm Safety Practices Under Scrutiny

There’s a common saying that practice leads to perfection in various fields, but when it comes to firearm safety, it’s surprisingly easy to fall into poor habits.

After viewing a recent video shared on X, it might be prudent to rephrase that: proper practice leads to perfection. The videos, each lasting about 17 seconds, quickly reveal significant lapses in fundamental firearm safety rules.

In the clip, numerous men dressed in business casual attire are seen moving around stools, reminiscent of a game of musical chairs. When the instructor counts to “3” and shouts, the men draw their guns, often aiming them at the individual directly in front of them.

Gun safety instructors are now watching this over coffee and crying.

— Gun Lover Club (@GunloverClub1)

This routine is repeated as the men reholster their semi-automatic pistols while the instructor navigates the stools, all while the trainees keep their guns drawn. Once more, they point their pistols at the person in front as the instructor counts down.

It’s been widely understood for a long time that you should never aim a firearm at something that you don’t intend to hit. Even if the guns are loaded with blanks, they still pose a risk of serious injury.

Not only does the video show guns directed in unsafe ways—something highlighted by the reckless handling of an AR-15-style shotgun—but it also displays some trainees with fingers inside the trigger guard, and in some extreme cases, even on the trigger while aiming at the person in front. This kind of training can lead to disastrous outcomes.

I really wonder, where on earth are firearms instructors conducting this sort of training? If you’re looking for safe ways for your child to practice drawing while moving, there are legitimate shooting ranges that can provide such training. People can engage in this sport safely, running around while still adhering to safety protocols.

Even amidst activity at a shooting range, safe firearm handling is essential. When individuals finish using a firearm, it should be secured back in its holster. Importantly, a gun should never be aimed at someone else’s back or anywhere near another person.

It’s about time participants demand a refund for such training and seek out a qualified pistol instructor—preferably someone who prioritizes safety and won’t inadvertently put them at risk while teaching self-defense.