When referring to Firearms deployment,it obviously is categorized into civilian carry,Law Enforcement and Military.
When asked the question "Are Firearms a Martial Art",then people begin to quarrel over the term"Martial"and "Art".
The Samurai obviously had their own skills and terminology for the use of firearms of their time etc.
When talking about firearms we are talking about contemporary firearms usage.Right?
So is it a Martial Art.
Well,it is a skill that takes many hours of repetitive training in different and challenging environments and stressful situations etc.in order for one to become somewhat proficient in this "Combat Skill"
In the Military context,International Tier 1 Units such as Delta,SEAL Team 6,GROM,GSG9,etc. spend countless hours,ammunition and training routines in order to perfect this skill in order to secure a positive outcome in Hostage Rescue based situations etc.,just like the Bushi of old spent countless hours on Iajutsu,Kenjutsu etc.
These "Modern Day Bushi"spend as many hours on many other skills.The use of all types of firearms(Handgun,Shotgun,Rifle,SMG etc)
They practice the same combative "Arts"or skills of old,such as combat swimming,unarmed combat,CQB,infiltration and ex filtration into hostile terrain etc.
So basically,yes Firearms are in fact a smaller part of the bigger picture that makes a Warrior of today more adept at success in their mission.
Is it a Martial Art?
Well it is an art based on survival,skill,training and commitment.So yes.
If your idea of a Martial Art are flutes playing and walking on rice paper,then I guess you might find this a bit too contemporary for you to see it as the "Martial Art"that is found in the pretentious snobbery of elitist "Martial Artists"
Thank you,
Gareth.