Not long ago it was easy to tell who the bad guys were. Colonel Jeff Cooper's Rules of Firearm Safety Gunsite instructor Bob Whaley shares with NSSF's Mark Thomas Gunsite's 4 rules of firearm safety that when followed will help ensure the highest level of safety. In the larger sense, however, the personal ownership of firearms is only secondarily a matter of defense against the criminal. The level of awareness for Condition Red is essentially the byproduct of having to take action from Condition Orange. His daughter Lindy Wisdom published a biography, Jeff Cooper: the Soul and the Spirit (1996). LAST CHANCE >> Enter to WIN Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle in FREE GUN FRIDAY! The condition in which you carry your firearm is a heavily debated issue and one that Ive taken a stance on before. It is a bolt-action .308 rifle with a 10-round detachable box magazine. With seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six. Jeff Cooper Retweeted. Originally meant for military applications, the principles he shared quickly spread to those concerned about their self-defense. If the weapon is assembled and in someone's hands, it is capable of being discharged. The most important means of surviving a lethal confrontation, according to Cooper, is neither the weapon nor the martial skills. Carrying in Condition 4 would not be recommended in a self-defense situation since there are too many steps to complete before the gun is ready to fire: draw the weapon, insert a magazine, rack the slide, load a round, aim, and press the trigger. Along the lines of the Thumper concept, Tim LeGendre of LeMag Firearms developed .45 Professional, the predecessor of the .450 Bushmaster cartridge, and later built and delivered an AR-15 in .45 Professional to Cooper,[16] while Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms developed the .50 Beowulf.[17]. His method is still used by defensive handgun instructors today. (NRA please take note.) My #1 Trading Rule look to buy strong stocks when they crouch and short weak stocks when they try to stand on their tiptoes. As Im sure youve seen people at a range muzzle sweeping and with their fingers on their triggers, there should be a test every time a firearm is purchased. With practice, Condition 1 is an effective method for defending against a threat. Rule #4Be sure of your target: Always positively identify your target, know what its in line with and what is behind it. Follow thru is key. These people fight small wars amongst themselves. Ruger (Gunsite Scout Rifle), Savage Arms, Springfield Armory, and Mossberg have made versions of the scout rifle as well. Jeffrey Cooper, a renowned architect and acoustic engineer whose work and innovations have spanned numerous Hollywood films and institutions, was sentenced to . There are four firearms safety rules almost universally accepted by training operations, law enforcement agencies, and any other entities that are involved with the handling and use of firearms. [20] He is buried at the Arizona Pioneers' Home Cemetery in Prescott. If so, wed love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! Condition White represents a state of complete unawareness and unpreparedness. Col. Cooper's Color Code (the "Cooper Color Code") you're very likely doing it wrong. Rule 2: Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. Situational awareness is much more than some tactical, combat-centric skill set. [1], In 1976, Cooper founded the American Pistol Institute (API) in Paulden, Arizona (later the Gunsite Academy). "It`s human nature to be optimistic. The so-called Thumper concept inspired the development of the .450 Bushmaster, .458 SOCOM, 458 HAM'R, .499 LWR, and the .50 Beowulf, among other cartridges, all suitable for integration into the AR-15/M16 rifle/M4 carbine or AR-10/M14 rifle platforms. The rifle features the integral forward scope mount typical of all scout rifles along with a ghost ring rear sight and a Mini-14 style protected front sight. . Be the first to hear about upcoming classes. It is true; very rarely do firearms accidents involve "loaded" guns. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until youre ready to fire. Without them, man is diminished, and his opportunities to fulfill his destiny are lessened. Medical Bag Updates: Repacking & Maintaining Over the Counter Medications Go-To Preparedness Bags and Food Selections All guns are always loaded! You should have to recite these four rules out loud, from memory! Anyone who uses a gun would be wise to take heed of this advice from an expert in the safe use of small arms: Rule #1Assume all guns are always loaded: This is a straightforward rule without exceptions. This is a primary reason I favor Sigs, in addition to featuring a decocker. He often described the handgun as a convenient-to-carry stopgap weapon, allowing someone the opportunity to get to a rifle. In my opinion a gun should always be carried with a round in the chamber. Cooper defined his goal: a general-purpose rifle is a conveniently portable, individually operated firearm, capable of striking a single decisive blow on a live target of up to 200 kilos in weight at any distance at which the operator can shoot with the precision necessary to place a shot in a vital area of the target. Cooper was the first one to define and stress the Four Basic Rules of Firearms Safety All guns are always loaded. And if you must shoot, shoot with precision." ~ Jeff Cooper. Next in line is Condition Orange. Whenever you are offered violence, fight back! White In Condition White, you are unaware and relaxed. Skills we advocate to get you through anything life throws at you. An example of this is when you realize that a threat is indeed following you or advancing toward you. 7, July, 2005, GG Vol. They are not afraid of criminals. If you don't understand war you don't understand history. 11. "The continued sales triumph of Glock pistols demonstrates the virtues of skillful marketing. "Treat all guns as if they were loaded." To date, a more effective method of managing the fighting pistol has yet to be brought forward.. Here are the five primary elements of what he called the modern technique: Jeffs mantra to his students was: Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands. In his most famous Jeff Cooper quotes he advocated four rules for safely handling a firearm. What may henceforth appear as 'Gunsite Gossip' will be a censored and abbreviated version of my periodical commentary. It is a tool of power, and thus dependent completely upon the moral stature of its user. A prominent Los Angeles man was sentenced to eight years in state prison on Monday over three counts of child molestation. Well, that just opened the floodgates for people to start besmirching Mr. Ayoob's reputation. They are afraid of a populace which cannot be subdued by tyrants. It appears that the murder rate inside prisons is ten times higher than that outside prisons. Jen Juneau. Stay in touch with Widener's, be the first to know about new articles, products, and more. After perfecting this method, a quick and accurate shot will surprise the assailant. This oft-violated rule should be self-explanatory. Colonel Jeff Cooper: Carry Conditions and Firearm Safety - ITS Tactical The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation What to Keep in Your Aid Bag Can a 7-Year-Old Vehicle Bag Stand Up to Texas Heat? Many Somalis would chew the drug Khat all day and the effects of the drug would both curb their appetite and increase their pain tolerance. If someone hands you a firearm and says, "Don't worry, it's not loaded," you do not dare believe him. Originally meant for military applications, the principles he shared quickly spread to those concerned about their self-defense. Education can cure this. Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. 4) Identify your target and what is behind it. 7, GGG3, pg. You may need a free hand for something important. While their have been some slight modifications to these, depending on whos saying them, the premise is always the same. It is equally useful in securing meat for the table, destroying group enemies on the battlefield, and resisting tyranny. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. 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. In 1992, he sold his firm. I told him that it is my earnest endeavor to see that it does. It is too easy to say that a good shot is automatically a good man, but it would be equally incorrect to ignore the connection. This applies to driving in rush-hour traffic as much as it does personal protection situations. The origination of these four rules is attributed to Jeff Cooper, the "father" of most of the handgun manipulation techniques that are in use today. Jeff Cooper spent a long and active life reading, shooting, hunting, fighting and teaching. Do not pretend that this is true. I mentioned that Massad Ayoob seemed qualified. [9], The USMC uses "Condition Black," although it was not originally part of Cooper's color code. In a single-action pistol like the 1911, the user must cock the hammer to ready the gun to fire. The aggressor does not fear the law, so he must be taught to fear you. This is a straightforward rule without exceptions. Another one of Coopers secrets of speed and accuracy was to teach his students to press the trigger instead of yanking it off target. I bring this article up merely as a reminder to check your equipment and know your weapons capability. Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper's Rules 1) All guns are always loaded 2) Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy 3) Keep your fingers off the trigger until your sights are on the target 4) Be sure of your target and what is beyond it What rules do you prefer? Above all, its aftermarket service is superior. It is certain to cause some ass pain. Col. Cooper is noted for his no-nonsense quotations about guns and personal defense. Techniques to help you prepare your transportation and enhance your travels. Jeff Cooper devised the following carry conditions and taught them to his students. He resigned his commission in 1949, but returned to active duty during the Korean War, where he claimed to be involved in irregular warfare in Southeast Asia,[4] and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. What we want to do, more than anything else is to get engaged professionals talking whether they agree with the . Rule 4: Be sure of your target. A smart man only believes half of what he hears, a wise man knows which half. If you are not willing to take a human life, do not cover a person with the muzzle. While this does not mean you instantly attack someone, you are certainly ready and waiting for a specific trigger or predetermined action that will launch the process. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are. Dont point a gun at something (or someone) unless you mean to destroy it. The essence of good marksmanship is self-control, and self-control is the essence of good citizenship. Col. Jeff Cooper began teaching the Modern Technique at his Gunsite Academy in about 1976. Individuals and groups across the globe attended his on-site training. In fact, it is the only means of resisting tyranny, since a citizenry armed with rifles simply cannot be tyrannized. Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends, Jeff Cooper (2006). RULE 1 ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED The late Colonel Jeff Cooper declared the CZ 75 the finest 9mm service pistol yet manufactured. Never stand or walk around with your finger on the trigger. In the most basic way, situational awareness is about being plugged into your environment and the people in it. Naturally his superior hearing is part of the answer, but not all of it. Despite Coopers sale of Gunsite in 1992 he continued to reside on the property where he lived his remaining years passing on his knowledge. RT @JeffCooperLive: My #1 Trading Rule look to buy strong stocks when they crouch and short weak stocks when they try to stand on their tiptoes. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. He received a regular commission in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in September 1941. According to Herodotus, the ancient Persians felt that what was necessary in the background of a young man entering adulthood was his ability to ride, shoot straight, and speak the truth. The handgun impressed experts in combat shooting and engineering as well. Jeff Cooper's Hit and Run Report Providing market timing since 1996 At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. But the elevated year-end tax . 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