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The Four Rules

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 9:35 pm
by NavyChief
Below are words to live by. Some are familiar with the good Colonel. The firearms community owes him much...
Jeff Cooper's Rules of Gun Safety

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET



RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED


There are no exceptions. Do not pretend that this is true. Some people and organizations take this rule and weaken it;e.g. "Treat all guns as if they were loaded." Unfortunately, the "as if" compromises the directness of the statement by implying that they are unloaded, but we will treat them as though they are loaded. No good! Safety rules must be worded forcefully so that they are never treated lightly or reduced to partial compliance.

All guns are always loaded - period!

This must be your mind-set. If someone hands you a firearm and says, "Don't worry, it's not loaded," you do not dare believe him. You need not be impolite, but check it yourself. Remember, there are no accidents, only negligent acts. Check it. Do not let yourself fall prey to a situation where you might feel compelled to squeal, "I didn't know it was loaded!"


RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

Conspicuously and continuously violated, especially with pistols, Rule II applies whether you are involved in range practice, daily carry, or examination. If the weapon is assembled and in someone's hands, it is capable of being discharged. A firearm holstered properly, lying on a table, or placed in a scabbard is of no danger to anyone. Only when handled is there a need for concern. This rule applies to fighting as well as to daily handling. If you are not willing to take a human life, do not cover a person with the muzzle. This rule also applies to your own person. Do not allow the muzzle to cover your extremities, e.g. using both hands to reholster the pistol. This practice is unsound, both procedurally and tactically. You may need a free hand for something important. Proper holster design should provide for one-handed holstering, so avoid holsters which collapse after withdrawing the pistol. (Note: It is dangerous to push the muzzle against the inside edge of the holster nearest the body to "open" it since this results in your pointing the pistol at your midsection.) Dry-practice in the home is a worthwhile habit and it will result in more deeply programmed reflexes. Most of the reflexes involved in the Modern Technique do not require that a shot be fired. Particular procedures for dry-firing in the home will be covered later. Let it suffice for now that you do not dry-fire using a "target" that you wish not to see destroyed. (Recall RULE I as well.)


Rule III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

Rule III is violated most anytime the uneducated person handles a firearm. Whether on TV, in the theaters, or at the range, people seem fascinated with having their finger on the trigger. Never stand or walk around with your finger on the trigger. It is unprofessional, dangerous, and, perhaps most damaging to the psyche, it is klutzy looking. Never fire a shot unless the sights are superimposed on the target and you have made a conscious decision to fire. Firing an unaligned pistol in a fight gains nothing. If you believe that the defensive pistol is only an intimidation tool - not something to be used - carry blanks, or better yet, reevaluate having one around. If you are going to launch a projectile, it had best be directed purposely. Danger abounds if you allow your finger to dawdle inside the trigger guard. As soon as the sights leave the target, the trigger-finger leaves the trigger and straightens alongside the frame. Since the hand normally prefers to work as a unit - as in grasping - separating the function of the trigger-finger from the rest of the hand takes effort. The five-finger grasp is a deeply programmed reflex. Under sufficient stress, and with the finger already placed on the trigger, an unexpected movement, misstep or surprise could result in a negligent discharge. Speed cannot be gained from such a premature placement of the trigger-finger. Bringing the sights to bear on the target, whether from the holster or the Guard Position, takes more time than that required for moving the trigger finger an inch or so to the trigger.


RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything you have not positively identified. Be aware of your surroundings, whether on the range or in a fight. Do not assume anything. Know what you are doing.


SUMMARY:

Make these rules a part of your character. Never compromise them. Improper gunhandling results from ignorance and improper role modeling, such as handling your gun like your favorite actor does. Education can cure this. You can make a difference by following these gunhandling rules and insisting that those around you do the same. Set the example. Who knows what tragedies you, or someone you influence, may prevent?

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:40 am
by OldManTod
What about the rule that says do a search before posting your question???

T

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:42 am
by TunnelRat
OldManTod wrote:What about the rule that says do a search before posting your question???
That's not a "rule". That's the Eleventh Commandment... :?

Rules

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:01 pm
by jedironin
Saw a really good one a while back...

Rules for a Gunfight:
1. Bring a gun.
2. Bring lots of friends with guns.

There was more, but I was laughing too hard to remember the rest! :lol:

Great advice, if you can do it.

Re: Rules

Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:59 am
by NavyChief
jedironin wrote:Rules for a Gunfight:
1. Bring a gun.
2. Bring lots of friends with guns.
Even better - "Hey, if there's gonna be a gunfight maybe we oughta just stay home and watch a movie or somethin'..." :lol:

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:53 am
by jacksnack
I agree.

If I know there is going to be trouble when I go, DON'T GO!

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:51 am
by MrMagoo
OldManTod wrote:What about the rule that says do a search before posting your question???

T
It never hurts to review something. Pilots have checklists that they go through no matter how many times they fly.

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:37 pm
by pleasantguywhopacks
I just can't understand how it happened...I showed up at the scheduled gun fight and got shot...I just don't understand....

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:51 pm
by standerson
Never bring a knife to a gun fight.

Re: The Four Rules

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:33 pm
by don-in-ytown
NavyChief wrote:Below are words to live by. Some are familiar with the good Colonel. The firearms community owes him much...


RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET



RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything you have not positively identified. Be aware of your surroundings, whether on the range or in a fight. Do not assume anything. Know what you are doing.
OK, what are you supposed to do if you're in a life threatening situation and there are other people, or the possiblity of people (houses), in your line of sight toward/behind the attacker? Don

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:55 pm
by SMMAssociates
Don:

Rule IV doesn't apply in Youngstown....

(Well, maybe for us....)

Seriously, the point is more to "be sure you only hit your target". Or, "don't even think about firing unless you have a clear line".

The real point is that we need to train up to the point that we don't fire unless we are certain (within the limits of human abilities) that we have a clear line of fire both in front of and behind the target.

This won't keep somebody from jumping into the line, but remember that even a .45 ball is going to take almost zero time to get from your gun to your target (if the guy's outside of the Tueller distance you really shouldn't be shooting anyway). This doesn't mean that somebody couldn't get in the way, but prophecy isn't a requirement.

#IV is a "judgement call" thing - much more so than the other three.... It's there because we have to train up to it - and to think about it. The other are "habits" we have to acquire.... IMHO, it's a lot easier to learn a habit then to learn judgement....

Regards,

Re: The Four Rules

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 10:53 am
by carmen fovozzo
.............I like reading THE RULES every now and then. Keeps you alert . Reminds me to not be a know it all. 8)

Re: The Four Rules

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:44 pm
by SMMAssociates
Carmen:

Thanks for bumping this....

I've practiced these for more than 40 years, but don't ask me to enumerate them - mental block or something....

Regards,

Rule 5

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:45 pm
by Scavok
Image

Re:

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:46 pm
by Music Man
pleasantguywhopacks wrote:I just can't understand how it happened...I showed up at the scheduled gun fight and got shot...I just don't understand....
You forgot your cell phone to call 911, that's why you got shot.
Scavok wrote:Image
and ATF stands for?
Another True Flippin-idiot and look where his finger is.