No, Firing a Gun Will Not Make You Fall Down.
No, firing a gun will likely not make you fall down as the force created by firing the gun pushes the momentum to the bullet and through the barrel of the gun while you as the person firing will only get the kick, also known as recoil. The recoil is distributed across your mass and although it may be strong with long guns like a rifle, your body and stance will absorb the brunt of it helping you to stay on your feet.
The rumor that shooting a gun will knock someone down or backwards came from the dramatic flair in Hollywood movies combined with a term called “knockback” from popular video games. Knockback is when a character gets knocked backwards, normally by being pushed or hit, and in a dramatic way.
Desperado from 1995 is a perfect example. The actors in the car scene act in dramatic movements and "interesting stances" with the guitar case rocket launcher and you see their targets go flying “knockback.”
In order for someone to get knocked down by firing a gun, the recoil would have to create enough force to knock the person off balance. Once off balance, the person may fall. However a proper stance while firing the gun helps you maintain control of your position and reduces the chance of you getting knocked backwards.
What Determines if You’ll Fall Down
The factors at play that determine if you will or will not fall down include your:- Height
- Weight
- Athletic ability and body’s ability to balance
- Stance
- Firearm and any accessories to reduce recoil
- Direction you’re firing (assuming you are not always firing directly ahead)
- The surface you are standing on and if it is slippery or not
- Medical conditions that cause mobility disorders