Psychologically, weapons training can be used to normalize violence. Repeated exposure to armed drills, even without active combat, can dull moral hesitation and redefine who is seen as a “threat.” This is particularly concerning when training is directed inward—toward domestic populations—rather than outward toward legitimate external defense. In such contexts, the emphasis often shifts from protection to suppression.
There is also a strong performative element. Images or reports of AK-47 training are frequently circulated to project strength, deter dissent, or reinforce fear. The act of training becomes a tool of messaging, signaling that force is not only available but sanctioned and celebrated. This can have a chilling effect on civil society, especially when paired with rhetoric that frames civilians as enemies.
