Application of the Firearms Rules

I don’t understand how the idea of the four firearms rules being universal for all environments and situations is so misunderstood. Those rules aren’t restricted to the sterile, square range – they even apply in combat. Finger off the trigger unless you have decided to shoot seems to be near universally accepted, but treating firearms as loaded, not pointing at things we are not willing to kill or pay for, and knowing backstop and beyond don’t seem to be considered regularly outside of the range. Full disclosure, I didn’t get it until years after starting to carrying a gun professionally, but I don’t know where the disconnect occurred and when the concept was more fully realized.

Part of the disconnect might be due to only hearing the rules repeated at the range. I’ve since responded to many incidents where rookie officers are quick to draw a gun and I ask them why they drew. We then discuss how and when firearms get introduced and the repercussions of drawing down on an innocent. Pointing a gun at someone is a use of force – unjustified use of force can easily be determined to be a crime. This applies to both law enforcement and non-law enforcement.

For many people who take firearms training, it ends there. The training focuses on a facet of firearms manipulation but not application. Lectures and further understanding are replaced with repeats of the same firearms shooting courses- not the understanding of use of force.

Another factor that blurs the lines in some people’s minds is the use or desire to use a weapon mounted light. With an abundance of people not willing to take low light training, assumptions are made about techniques used with wepon mounted lights. This lack of training also doesn’t help people understand context. Many seem to think an exception to the rules apply if you have a weapon mounted light – there isn’t an exemption.

Understanding use of force and the firearms rules are important parts of being a well rounded defender. Attending training courses addressing concepts and applications of force can be just as valuable as the square range shooting course. Just taking one side of it is checking a needed box but it is not the complete solution.