Why did Mr Pendanski fire his pistol into the air?

Mr. Pendanski fired his pistol into the air as a means of asserting control and authority over the boys at Camp Green Lake. It was a dramatic gesture intended to instill fear and command respect, reinforcing the power dynamics at play in the harsh environment of the camp. The act was also a response to escalating tensions among the boys, demonstrating the extreme measures taken by authority figures to maintain order.