American Tactical Imports ATI Alpha Max 5.56 16" HBAR Rifle - $318.88

Haha. If you say so.

I personally use all my firearms and they show it. They are mine so I use them as I wish. Same for someone that doesnt use their firearms. Theirs to use as they wish. Some train harder some train less some less some dont train. These choices are part of the fantastic freedom we enjoy. I agree with you that this firearm is a very good value and is particularly so for someone who will not be training hard. Having something nice is not necessarily a waste just because it doesnt get used much. Someone may have a S&K socket set and only use it twice a year.
Personally i dont go to matches much anymore and my scores reflect that. But i do go to some and enjoy that. I choose how much time I spend. I prioritize skill with firearms to the extent that i find appropriate. I am not law enforcement or military. This means it is largely but not entirely a recreational activity for me
What really keeps you safe is situational awareness and conflict avoidance. Skill in the actual use of the firearm is secondary no matter how we might think otherwise. I know people who are very very skilled in firearms but have never trained in situational awareness and conflict avoidance. I very very seldom carry a gun in public because of the grave legal consequences possible outside the home. My decision. Others make different decisions as is their right.
In my state we have castle doctrine that allows self defence inside of a residence. Its still in the gravest extreme.
I like matches for training. I seldom go shooting with people other than that unless they are squared away. Safety protocols are enforced at matches There is a lot of ego involved with firearms and it raises safety concerns if you are shooting with untrained individuals. I like cold range rules. Matches and Cold range rules allow training to occur in a manner where egos can be put aside. People realize that their is always going to be shooters better than you and (hopefully) shooters worse than you. That allows learning greater skills. Ego gets in the way of learning.
IMO safety protocol and discipline is the most valuable firearm skill. If kids show up at the range demonstrating poor discipline and asserting alpha dog behavior I leave. No safety officer like at a match to correct them.
All of these things effect what the training regime is how much time is spent on it. The level of quality in the tools they choose These are personal decisions and part of the great freedom and rights we enjoy. With freedom comes responsibility. Freedom does not work without discipline and responsibility. Understanding the scope and limits of ones skills is as important as the skills themselves.