A viral video making rounds on social media shows a dangerous prank involving an AR-15 inside a Bass Pro Shops location, drawing swift backlash from gun owners, law enforcement supporters, and responsible firearm advocates alike.
In the video, which appears to be staged for social media clout, an employee behind the gun counter hands a young man an AR-15-style rifle. Upon receiving the firearm, the man suddenly shouts, “Get on the f***ing ground!” in a mock law enforcement tone, startling both staff and customers nearby. The employee quickly and retrieves the rifle from the man’s hands, visibly unamused.
Another store employee steps in immediately and warns the prankster, saying, “That’s a good way to get shot.” The man’s friend, who was recording the incident on a phone, responds by saying, “He’s training to be a cop,” attempting to justify the behavior.
The entire interaction appears to be part of an online prank video — a trend that continues to blur the line between entertainment and dangerous behavior.
There were no reports of injuries, arrests, or further incidents at the time of writing, though the video has sparked heated discussion across Second Amendment and firearms safety communities.
While the firearm in question was presumably cleared and unloaded while inside the store — as is standard procedure in gun retail environments — the behavior shown in the video violates several key principles of gun safety and responsible conduct. Yelling threats while holding a firearm, real or not, in a public space is never acceptable and can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation.
The incident also highlights a growing issue: prank culture and its intersection with firearms. Social media has incentivized increasingly reckless behavior in pursuit of viral fame, often at the expense of public safety and common sense. What might be seen as “just a joke” by a small group of online followers could be interpreted as a genuine threat by armed citizens or law enforcement, potentially leading to fatal consequences.
From a pro-Second Amendment perspective, this kind of behavior undermines the serious responsibility that comes with firearm ownership and handling. Gun stores are not stages for skits or viral videos — they are places where law-abiding citizens go to responsibly purchase, learn about, and train with firearms. Stunts like this not only jeopardize safety, they also fuel negative perceptions of the gun community.
Firearms should always be handled with the utmost respect. The Four Rules of Gun Safety aren’t optional, and neither is common sense. Misusing a firearm for laughs doesn’t just make you look foolish — it could get someone hurt, or worse.
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