Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with others, sharing information and participating in conversations about daily social life, hobbies and interests. 

It serves as a platform where what you post is accessible to a wide range of people, many of whom may not share your views on specific issues, including firearms. 

Therefore, one should consider how one’s content might be perceived and whether it could lead to negative impressions, especially among people who may not understand responsible gun culture vis-à-vis the implications of irresponsible gun usage. 

While sharing your passion is natural, these posts can be misinterpreted if not presented thoughtfully. 

Thus, the significant impact of social media on society cannot be over-emphasised. 

Social. safety consequences 

While specific laws prohibiting firearms display on social media vary by jurisdiction, 

Namibian laws do not prohibit that. 

However, it is generally restricted by platform policies that ban the sale and promotion of weapons. 

Posting with illegal firearms or in a way that threatens public safety can lead to legal consequences and potential arrest. 

In that case, brandishing weapons on social media is rarely a good idea. 

Even if you own the weapon legally, it could attract the wrong kind of attention from law enforcement – and in some cases, it could lead to criminal consequences because law enforcement officials monitor social media posts constantly. 

If you do not own the weapon legally, criminal consequences are almost guaranteed. Even an innocent-looking posts can raise legal issues if it crosses into questionable territory. 

Displaying weapons on social media can result in criminal charges, including violating firearms laws and causing a loss of weapon licenses, especially if used to intimidate or for illegal activities. 

Legally, these posts can be used as evidence against you. Socially, such displays can incite fear, encourage violence, and make you a target of criminals or law enforcement. 

Avoid glamorising 

Social media, because it is a magnifying glass, can sometimes glamorise detrimental elements depending on their portrayal, thereby encouraging people to show off or post exaggerated content for likes and attention. This can be dangerous when it comes to firearms and such other instruments – lethal and non-lethal devices. Instead, one needs to focus on sharing educational or informative content that highlights responsible firearm use and the importance of safety. 

While sharing aspects of your life on social media is common, it is important to find a balance between openness and privacy, and to avoid legal and social risks while staying safe. 

Oversharing information about your firearms can attract unwanted attention from criminals or others who might exploit the information you share. 

Before sharing anything related to firearms and such other instruments on social media, it is essential to consider the wider audience beyond your network and understand the policies and ethical norms of the platforms you are using, as well as the resultant consequences. 

Many social media platforms offer privacy settings that enable you to control who can view your posts. 

Thus, it is wise to use these tools by limiting the visibility of your firearm-related content to people you trust, such as close friends or fellow gun enthusiasts. 

But even privately shared information on social media finds its way to a much wider audience globally. 

This further illustrates how important it is to be mindful that international viewers may interpret your post differently depending on their country’s laws and culture surrounding firearms and related instruments. 

Nonetheless, adjusting your settings helps reduce the risk of unwanted attention or negative comments from strangers. 

In closing, we are also reminded that, for young people living in communities with macho culture, high crime rates of drugs and gun violence, domestic violence, and all sorts of social evils, social media often becomes a digital street where taunts, arguments and threats may play out over Twitter conversations or Facebook live feeds. 

So, society must use social media to advocate for gun violence prevention and safety and responsible conduct. 

In addition, social media users must also avoid posting personal details about their firearm collection, such as serial numbers, make or model specifics. 

This information could be used by malicious individuals or criminals for theft or other illegal activity. 

Instead, social media users should focus on general topics related to firearms and avoid geotagging. 

Geotagging can provide criminals with clues about your movements or whereabouts, potentially making you a target of a wide range of criminal activities. 

Responsible behaviour nurtures a responsible society. 

Posting weapon images can contribute to a cycle of violence by influencing others to carry weapons or escalate conflicts. 

Such can harm your reputation and may be seen as a display of dominance or aggression – even if unintentional. 

*Maj. Gen. (RTD) J. B Tjivikua is a criminal intelligence analyst.