It looks broke to me.
?; Why doesn't he use one of those super high tech flash-noise devices they created in the post-09/11/2001 era?
I saw a media item about it(for the 2004 or 2008 Summer Olympics). It makes a noise & flash but it's not a firing weapon or gun(firearm).
Sports groups & schools now use them instead of the old starter guns.
ClydeFrog