LT. COL. JEFF COOPER, A PIONEER IN PISTOL-CRAFT AND FOUNDER OF THE AMERICAN PISTOL INSTITUTE, IS CREDITED WITH DEVELOPING THESE FOUR (4) FUNDAMENTAL SAFETY RULES.
RULE 1.
ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED!
THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS OCCURS WHEN ONE HAS A WEAPON IN HIS HANDS AND HE HAS PERSONALLY UNLOADED IT FOR CHECKING. AS SOON AS HE PUTS IT DOWN, RULE 1 APPLIES AGAIN.
RULE 2.
NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO DESTROY!
YOU MAY NOT WISH TO DESTROY IT, BUT YOU MUST BE CLEAR IN YOUR MIND THAT YOU ARE QUITE READY TO IF YOU LET THAT MUZZLE COVER THE TARGET. TO ALLOW A FIREARM TO POINT AT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING IS A DEADLY THREAT, AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE TREATED AS SUCH.
RULE 3.
KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER TIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET!
THIS WE CALL THE GOLDEN RULE BECAUSE ITS VIOLATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE FIREARMS DISASTERS WE READ ABOUT.
RULE 4.
BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET!
YOU NEVER SHOOT AT ANYTHING UNTIL YOU HAVE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED IT. YOU NEVER FIRE AT A SHADOW, OR A SOUND, OR A SUSPECTED PRESENCE. YOU SHOOT ONLY WHEN YOU KNOW ABSOLUTELY WHAT YOU ARE SHOOTING AT AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.
ASK YOURSELF…
ARE YOU A LIABILITY ARMED OR ARE YOU AN ASSET TO SOCIETY? DO YOU HAVE THE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO IDENTIFY A DEADLY THREAT, DRAW YOUR PISTOL FROM A CONCEALED HOLSTER AND “ACCURATELY” SHOOT AN ASSAILANT BEFORE HE/SHE DOES YOU OR ANOTHER?
CARRYING A CONCEALED FIREARM FOR SELF-DEFENSE IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO USE IT COMPETENTLY, IT’S NO LONGER A WEAPON, BUT AT BEST A GOOD LUCK CHARM TO CALM OUR FEARS. YOU HAVE A DUTY AS A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN TO
TRAIN TO ATTAIN THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO PROPERLY MANAGE THAT WEAPON IN EVERY REGARD
BE EMOTIONALLY STABLE AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED TO USE DEADLY FORCE IF THAT IS YOUR LAST RESORT.
