"big 4" rules?

[fishinfoo]

what are the "Big 4" gun/range rules? i was wondering because i heard this term in another post. thanks

 

[N003k]

Rule 1: All guns are always loaded (Basically treat them as if they are loaded, no matter how much you 'know' they aren't.)

Rule 2: Never point the gun at anything you're not willing to destroy.

Rule 3: Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

Rule 4: Be aware of your target, what's near it, and what's beyond it.

 

[fishinfoo]

ok thanks. i already knew those rules but didn't know which ones were the "Big 4"

 

[N003k]

Well, they're the 4 I was always taught to obey...I can't think of any others I've seen before referenced as the 4 rules of gun safety....

If it's another set, then this'll be a learning experience for me too haha.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The Four Rules were not engraved on stone tablets and carried down from a mountain by a crazy old dude. They were quantified and popularized in the writings of Jeff Cooper. There are many other rules, but these four will cover all situations all the time.

 

[bryskee]

Yup. These are the four scribbled down by some crazy old dude that I was always taught.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

When I teach my hunter safety classes I always add one more.
# 5: NEVER, and I mean NEVER ,allow anyone to point a gun at you.

 

[TexasRifleman]

The Four Rules were not engraved on stone tablets and carried down from a mountain by a crazy old dude. They were quantified and popularized in the writings of Jeff Cooper.

What's the difference?


They might as well have been handed down by Moses himself


Cooper writes of them this way, in 1998.

The everlasting problem for the shooter remains gunhandling. Of the three elements of shooting skill - marksmanship, gunhandling, and mind-set - it is gunhandling which gives us the most trouble. The way people handled their weapons at the SHOT Show was enough to make one's blood run cold, and many of these people are presumably "experts" in the firearms field. It would seem that while a great many shooters understand the four basic rules of safe gunhandling, they seem to think that the rules only apply on the range when under supervision. I have tried for decades to impress upon people the fact that the four rules are immutable and ever present. They apply at all times and in all circumstances. Somebody asked me what they were the other day (somewhat to my dismay), so for the purposes of those who came in late let me put them forth again now.

Then a bit of comment on each:

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.

 

[AK103K]

I always looked at it as three rules, and left #2 above out. The easier you make it for the kids to remember, the better. #2 always seemed obvious to me anyway, and is basically covered by #4.

I also agree with FLNT4EVR's rule #5, but I think it may require a little deep thinking for some to understand, and even more, to condition the response.

 

[mustang_steve]

If you want rule 5, it's "never place a loaded firearm on the bench, mag out...nothing in the chamber".

While some may be able to keep track of it, there's plenty who can't and will eventually lead to a ND or some other problem. At my local range the range officers expect any firearm that's out of hand to have it's slide/bolt locked open. An alternative for firearms without such functionality is to stovepipe it with some spent brass (they'll often hand the shooter a casing for this if they don't have one already).

 

[DFW1911]

Also:

A) Always keep your muzzle pointed down range. Period. You'll make me nervous if you start swinging your firearm around. I will say something to you .

B) Keep the actions open on the firearms you aren't shooting. Yes, keep them on the bench with the muzzle pointed down range.

C) Step back, away from the bench, when the Range Master says to do so. It doesn't mean "when it's convenient" (unless he tells you to finish, etc), it means "now."

The Range Master is in complete control: listen and obey all commands.

Oh, and remember the Big 4!!! Maybe a little redundancy in here, but it's worth it.

Thanks,
DFW1911

 

[Boba Fett]

Also:

A) Always keep your muzzle pointed down range. Period. You'll make me nervous if you start swinging your firearm around. I will say something to you .

B) Keep the actions open on the firearms you aren't shooting. Yes, keep them on the bench with the muzzle pointed down range.

C) Step back, away from the bench, when the Range Master says to do so. It doesn't mean "when it's convenient" (unless he tells you to finish, etc), it means "now."

The Range Master is in complete control: listen and obey all commands.

Oh, and remember the Big 4!!! Maybe a little redundancy in here, but it's worth it.

Thanks,
DFW1911

I couldn't agree more.

Though I wish it didn't have to happen, it is very fun to watch the Range Masters kick people out of the facility for _____________ reason.

Personally, if the Range Masters aren't darn strict, I won't stay long and won't come back. The places I frequent the most and drive further for are the places where the Range Masters will get in your face and kick you out if you try to buck them in the slightest. Those are the places I feel safer (not safe mind you, since I'm always alert for fools not following the rules).

 

[AK103K]

I actually prefer to shoot where there are neither people or range officers. Both tend to be a distraction.

Many range officers must not have any other power in their lives, and feel they have to show you how important they are, and nit pick you to death over any perceived infraction, no matter how minor, if an infraction at all. I dont mind the necessary stuff, if and when its actually going on, but it seems more these days, they HAVE to find EVERYONE doing something wrong, or at least make some comment to you, or they are somehow not doing their job.

The ones who are the most annoying, and actually dangerous, are the ones who hover over you, trying to catch you breaking some rule they just know you are, or are about to.

Lucky for me these days, I'm usually the only one at the range every time I go, so neither is a worry. Almost free at last!

 

[jakemccoy]

Rule 1: Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until ready to fire.

Rule 2: Keep your muzzle pointed down range.

At the range, these are the most violated and most important rules. It seems like most gun users are able to remember and implement two rules at the most, and that's pushing it.

 

[armoredman]

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A) Always keep your muzzle pointed down range. Period. You'll make me nervous if you start swinging your firearm around. I will say something to you .

B) Keep the actions open on the firearms you aren't shooting. Yes, keep them on the bench with the muzzle pointed down range.

C) Step back, away from the bench, when the Range Master says to do so. It doesn't mean "when it's convenient" (unless he tells you to finish, etc), it means "now."

The Range Master is in complete control: listen and obey all commands.

Absolutely right, but A is already covered by Rule Two, B by Rule One, and B and C only apply to a specific situation, i.e., shooting on a formal range.