Excellent point, but this is actually the result of a safety design. If you look at how the handles are attached to the "lock", they only attach by a simple roll pin. So, if as stated above, the stands are set properly and the handles get hit real hard, the pin will shear from the lock, allowing the handle to move freely, while the lock stays in place. If the handles was welded to the lock there is the possibility of the lock being able to cam the load up and then releasing, droppeing the load. So, should the handles rotate freely? Yes, and no. Yes, if you have just hit it really hard and the pin has sheared, no if you decide to use them again without replacing the roll pin.