Shooting is a skill that perishes

Twenty three percent of firearm-caused deaths were accidents (Barber, 3). Although the number is low in comparison, the real value should be zero. Guns are a lethal weapon and remain a controversial facet in America's society because of the danger they pose. However, it is possible to greatly reduce the risk presented by these firearms with dry firing. Dry firing is the practice of shooting a gun with no live ammunition. Although dry firing can decrease the life expectancy on an old gun, it can also refine the qualities of the shooter and warrant the safety of the shooter and their environment.

By practicing to shoot with a gun with no live ammunition, the shooter can become used to the weight of the gun and can accordingly fixate their hand positions and grasp on the weapon. Moreover, an advantage of not using live ammunition is that a shooter can widen their prospects of practice allowing for more methodical and systematic exercise. Additionally, a key prospect to dry fire is that it is mainly free. There are a few costs associated with it but after accounting for the principal costs and excluding dummy rounds, dry firing remains a way to become comfortable with a firearm without spending a dime. Well, of course you can train dry shooting with an analytical virtual shooting range, the purchase of which will have to spend a one-time fee.  

Besides, shooting is a skill that perishes. Practice is key in order to ensure full awareness and concentration of the firearm. One needs to practice frequently so as to remain on top of their skills. As such, dry firing promotes the characteristics of a shooter while being a cost-efficient manner to stay in touch with the practice.

Another benefit of dry firing is that the shooter can become more accustomed to gun recoil and therefore remain more calm after firing. There is no gun recoil with dry firing and so the shooter can continue their focus on their target even after pulling the trigger. With such, the shooter is more inclined to hit the target since they would be “following through.” However, with live ammunition, there is a gun recoil which often causes the shooters’ hands to move after pulling the trigger, often making beginners miss their targets. Part of the accidental deaths caused by firearms goes to implicate the lack of operational exercises done with those who carry.

Familiarizing oneself with the inner workings of a gun and consistently running through motions allow for muscle memory to certify protection of the environment when live ammunition is inserted into a gun. Dry fire does not impact the efficiency of working capabilities of most modern weapons but this cannot be said for all models. However, it is important to evaluate the costs and benefits of dry firing: even though it can reduce the efficiency of some weapons, dry firing promises minimized risk. When it comes to guns, there is no joking around- it is far more valuable to practice dry firing than to preserve an old gun. At the end of the day, lives will always hold more importance than a working gun with an older design.

The best way to ensure the safety of the shooter and their environment as well as improving the shooter’s skills is with dry firing. Practice makes perfect but with guns, dry firing makes perfect.