What is the #1 rule of a gunfight?

What is the #1 rule of a gunfight?

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orionengnr said:
The #1 rule for a gunfight is to have a gun. Otherwise, all is lost before it begins...unless you are Superman (bullets bounce off you) or you can outrun a bullet. I don't know anyone who can pull off either of the above tricks
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Oh, so true! All else is Daydream Believer! :D Hard to believe Don't be there is about at the lead! :what:

Try this poll at a few other forums. ;)
 
orionengnr said:
Then your question is pointless.
Read in context, the question (as phrased) implies that you are going to be involved. Otherwise, the question is as relevant as "How do you survive a tsunami in Toronto?" or "How do you survive a blizzard in Haiti?"

The #1 rule for a gunfight is to have a gun. Otherwise, all is lost before it begins...unless you are Superman (bullets bounce off you) or you can outrun a bullet. I don't know anyone who can pull off either of the above tricks.

The other choices, such as "survive", "don't get shot", "there are no rules", etc... again presuppose that you are involved...otherwise, it is trivial to survive if you are not there. It is easy to not get shot if you are not there...and whether there are rules or not is immaterial if you are not there. And if you aren't there, you cannot win...or lose.

So the poll, as presented, has only one answer that makes sense.
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It looks like your choice is "don't be there", since it trumps all of the others. But I see that you selected "have a gun". That's fine too, your perspective is that "don't be there" is irrelevant. You probably aren't the only one who looks at it that way.

Me? I think:

"There are no rules" is a great way to end up in prison for the rest of your life.

"Don't be there" is a great answer but doesn't totally fit, as you describe. I would still consider voting for it.

"Don't get shot" is a great one but isn't necessarily satisfactory, depending on the circumstances.

"Have a gun", I don't really like that one, and I believe it can be a gunfight, with you involved, even if you don't have a gun.

"Win" is the one I answered, but it's kind of a copout (don't be there may also be a copout) because it is vague and can easily be interpreted as all-encompassing since I decide what "win" means.
 
Sam, I don't know where that quote came from, but yeah...that is one example of how "there are no rules" can end up with you in prison.
 
Good to see that have a gun has now got a 57 to 41 lead over the Alice in Wonderland , don't be there! Really! ;)

Reality sinking in. Have a gun.
 
Warp said:
It looks like your choice is "don't be there", since it trumps all of the others. But I see that you selected "have a gun". That's fine too, your perspective is that "don't be there" is irrelevant. You probably aren't the only one who looks at it that way.

Me? I think:

"There are no rules" is a great way to end up in prison for the rest of your life.

"Don't be there" is a great answer but doesn't totally fit, as you describe. I would still consider voting for it.

"Don't get shot" is a great one but isn't necessarily satisfactory, depending on the circumstances.

"Have a gun", I don't really like that one, and I believe it can be a gunfight, with you involved, even if you don't have a gun.

"Win" is the one I answered, but it's kind of a copout (don't be there may also be a copout) because it is vague and can easily be interpreted as all-encompassing since I decide what "win" means.
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Dude, as hard a time as you seem to have in making a decision, I fear you may not be the winner.
 
avoid it don't be there, if im carrying or not I avoid a sticky situation like the plague
 
theotherwaldo said:
"Don't be there" is nonsense.

Where is that place that you shouldn't be?
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Have you heard of the "stupid rules" or whatever?

Don't go stupid places, don't do stupid things, don't be with or around stupid people.

Don't confront anybody or feel like you must stand your ground/save face if somebody confronts you.

etc

Avoidance. Deescalation. They are big things.
 
It looks like your choice is "don't be there", since it trumps all of the others. But I see that you selected "have a gun". That's fine too, your perspective is that "don't be there" is irrelevant. You probably aren't the only one who looks at it that way.
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What? Did you read my post at all?

Clearly, not. Take a deep breath, go back and start again.

If you are going to ask a question, please read the answers carefully.
Comprehension is critical.

Or, as they used to say years ago, R I F...Reading Is Fundamental.
 
Nascar rules. First rule of a knife fight is to bring a gun. First rule of a gunfight is to bring a carload of people with big, fast guns. Cheat to win, win to live. This is the only scenario where Nascar rules truly do apply.
 
orionengnr said:
Read in context, the question (as phrased) implies that you are going to be involved. Otherwise, the question is as relevant as "How do you survive a tsunami in Toronto?" or "How do you survive a blizzard in Haiti?"
Click to expand...

To which I said "your perspective is that "don't be there" is irrelevant."

orionengnr said:
The #1 rule for a gunfight is to have a gun.
Click to expand...

To which I said "but I see that you selected "have a gun". That's fine too"


And I'll add a very important point:
orionengnr said:
Otherwise, all is lost before it begins...
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I disagree.

Mindset > Skillset >Toolset

Mindset means that you don't give up before it even begins because you don't have a gun.
 
Make sure your gun is loaded and the safety is off and you are actually capable, mentally and physically to use it......well.

Other than that avoid the situation at all costs.
 
The idea of "there are no rules" is just plain stupid on its face, and dangerously irresponsible in the implied application.

So - will you shoot a person trying to surrender? Or a wounded attacker laying unarmed on the ground?

Do you bring your illegal sawn off shotgun or SBR to the gun fight since there are "no rules?"

Do you ignore the concept of knowing what's behind your target, or shoot the bad guy holding an elderly lady hostage? Shooting blindly through walls hoping to hit the bad guy hiding somewhere on the other side?

Do you tamper with the evidence in the aftermath?

Of course there are rules and you follow them. The same rules always apply. The rules of owning and using a gun, and the rules of society, the law of self defense, and your moral code.
 
I selected "other", as I also agree that "don't be there" is more for humor. If one is not there, then there is no gunfight involving him, so the point is moot.

My selection is to simply "prevail and survive." Some may define that as "win", but it may actually mean more than that (if my adversary breaks off, flees and survives, doesn't he also "win"?)

To achieve my number-one rule, others must be followed or, in some cases, developed and followed, as the situation unfolds.
 
I voted for don't be there, because I do not intend to be in a gun fight ever, I carry for the protection of both myself and my family, and I believe in situational awareness. Avoid if at all possible situations that would be cause for me to draw my firearm. Should I have to draw, I do not view it as a gunfight, I think of it as an emergency survival situation, I will do everything within my power to survive, that means there are no rules it's pure survival and protection of my family.
 
Voted other for Rule number on.


Rule 1 of a gun fight : Don't get in one.
Rule 2 of a gun fight : Win the gunfight
Rule 3 of a gun fight : If you find yourself losing in a gunfight, refer to Rule number 1.
 
I voted don't be in one. That's a universal conflict doctrine. However, when the hand is forced, the absolute First Rule of a Gunfight, is "If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly."
 
MedWheeler said:
I selected "other", as I also agree that "don't be there" is more for humor. If one is not there, then there is no gunfight involving him, so the point is moot.

My selection is to simply "prevail and survive." Some may define that as "win", but it may actually mean more than that (if my adversary breaks off, flees and survives, doesn't he also "win"?)

To achieve my number-one rule, others must be followed or, in some cases, developed and followed, as the situation unfolds.
Click to expand...

I don't see a problem with there being two winners. After all, often times there are two losers. It isn't necessarily a "one wins and one loses" affair

Thermactor said:
I voted don't be in one. That's a universal conflict doctrine. However, when the hand is forced, the absolute First Rule of a Gunfight, is "If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly."
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This is a good point. Or some phrase it is "if you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck".

But when you are in a defensive role as a regular private citizen you may find yourself in an 'unfair' fight where you have the short end of the stick, that's just the way life is. You don't really get to plan how you will be attacked, when, where, by whom...unfortunately that is pretty well determined by the attacker(s).
 
Have a gun! :D Enough said. ;) Whether in Miami or Minneapolis.
Just have a gun. The KISS Formula applies .

I always 24/7 ,have a gun. It's in my back pocket as I type this. 3 times a gun has saved my life.Have a gun. ;)
 
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