RULE I:
ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
There are no exceptions.
Do not pretend that this is true. Some people 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.
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 re holster 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 YOU'RE READY TO SHOOT
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.
RULE I:
ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
There are no exceptions.
Do not pretend that this is true. Some people 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.
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 re holster 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 YOU'RE READY TO SHOOT
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.