Is firearms training a martial art?
This discussion was created the other day on Black Belt magazine's facebook page. The statement that started the discussion was that firearms training should be mandatory for all martial artists.
I do not necessarily agree that it should be mandatory but firearms should definitely be considered, in our modern world, as a viable form of martial art.
There were arguments both for and against, some heated, some filled with emotion and nonsensical responses.
So the only thing I can express here is my opinion. I believe firearms are a very important aspect of modern martial arts. I believe they should be understood and trained with to give the practitioner a real understanding of what they are capable of and how to use and defend against them.
One of the common arguments against was that any idiot can pull a trigger, that it does not take skill to use a firearm. Well, after years of shooting and training I know that is simply not true. The argument could easily be put forth that no martial arts are martial arts. It does not take training or skill for someone to hack your head off with a sword, or to stab you with a knife, kick you in the groin or punch you in the face. Any able bodied person can do all of those things.
The difference between being able to simply perform these tasks and do it with finesse, timing, accuracy and skill is what makes it a martial art. To be able to perform when needed and to look good doing it, that is where the art comes into play.
To accurately draw, display and hit your target in a certain amount of time, with fluidity and smoothness. To engage a moving target with accuracy so that your rounds neutralize an imminent threat to you or another person. To be able to shoot while moving to cover. To have the hand eye coordination to place a 147 grain projectile travelling at 1000 ft per second, into a target the size of a basketball while perceiving and responding to a threat to your life with your heart rate at 160, breathing restricted and loss of fine motor function because of the fight or flight response. To be able to function with all of this going on at the same time within a few seconds, from perception to response takes training, focus, energy, concentration, discipline, commitment, coordination, balance, speed and a presence of mind only found after extensive training and experience.
To me that description is exactly what martial art is. A focused intentional development of martial skills to be able to perform those skills under less than perfect circumstances. To be able to protect yourself from a threat and do all of this with accuracy and control.
If firearms training and development of the necessary skills to protect yourself and others, under horrific life threatening conditions, is not martial arts. Then what is it?
Even if you choose not to train how to shoot it is beneficial to understand firearms so you know how to defend against them. How you move to minimize the likelihood of being hit. The difference between cover and concealment. How to disarm a person, if they are going to kill you, and you are within arm's reach and can possibly save your life with proper technique and execution.
At least in the United States, you are far more likely to come up against a gun-wielding bad guy than you are someone with a sword, sai, tonfa or any other kind of "martial art" weapon.
I think firearms training is a viable and very important aspect of martial arts training. Firearms are a current and very real threat in our world and should be taken seriously by any martial artist.
