In addition to his books on firearms and self-defense, Cooper wrote several books recounting his life adventures plus essays and short stories, including Fire Works (1980); Another Country: Personal Adventures of the Twentieth Century (1992); To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth (1988); and C Stories (2004). If you are going to a gunfight, have a (loaded) gun - one that you have practiced with. Coopers wisdom has been heavily integrated into modern shooting and today well look at a few things you should commit to memory if you own or carry a gun. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim. [10] According to Massad Ayoob, "Condition Black," in Cooper's youth, meant "combat in progress. Like the .510 Whisper round it was developed from the case of the .416 Rigby/.338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. Follow thru is key. Principles of Personal Defense: Revised Edition, p.44, Paladin Press. Be ruthless. In Orange you have determined upon a specific adversary and are prepared to take action which may result in his death, but you are not in a lethal mode. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you're ready to fire. If you weren't sure of your target . Jeff Cooper's Rules of Gun Safety RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED There are no exceptions. You can now point a finger at any object and be fairly sure that your finger is actually pointing at the object. Gun News, Gun Reviews, and Self Defense Tips, You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our. But the elevated year-end tax . They did not see the danger or threat before it became a serious problem. These people fight small wars amongst themselves. The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation. Following is a treasury of meaning, famous and popular quotes and sayings by Jeff Cooper which have been curated from his life, thoughts and works. Condition Yellow represents a state of relaxed alert. The first color is white. An example of this is when you realize that a threat is indeed following you or advancing toward you. Set the example. Particular procedures for dry-firing in the home will be covered later. Know what you are doing. On the practical, safety side, the beautiful simplicity of this is obvious. This rule also applies to your own person. In 1976 he founded Gunsite Training Center just north of Prescott, Arizona. 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? Gunsite offers firearm training to elite military personnel, law enforcement officers and free citizens of the US. 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. LAST CHANCE >> Enter to WIN Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle in FREE GUN FRIDAY! Political correctness is neither political nor is it correct. Great Value. These are phrases uttered by people who end up in bad situations. Condition White represents a state of complete unawareness and unpreparedness. [1] He died at his home on September 25, 2006, at the age of 86. Lately, the .40 S&W has been awash in a stormy sea of unflattering ink. These are the five carry conditions laid out by Col. Cooper, starting at the least ready condition: Jeff Cooper wrote the book on handguns in combat. View Jeff Cooper's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Treat every weapon as if it were loaded. The pistols chamber is empty with the magazine removed and the hammer down. Situational awareness is much more than some tactical, combat-centric skill set. Lets face it, Sylvester Stallone doesnt quickly let go of his characters. One simply does not pick up a loaded gun and point it at a friend, family member, pet, or valued piece of personal property. I bring this article up merely as a reminder to check your equipment and know your weapons capability. 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. Having been married for 64 years to his wife, Janelle. You can make a difference by following these gunhandling rules and insisting that those around you do the same. 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The aggressor does not fear the law, so he must be taught to fear you. Political correctness is neither political nor is it correct. Tools to give you the advantage over any Imminent Threats that come your way. With our over emphases on safety, our team added rule number 5. Some people and organizations take this rule and weaken it;e.g. There are lists of "Gunfight Rules" floating around the internet on various web pages, in forwarded emails, hanging on gun store walls and other similar places. Many of Jeff Cooper's opinions and experiences are here, but . His hands and his weapons are simply extensions of his will, and one of the fallacies of our era is the notion that equipment is the equivalent of force. 1. Since the October low, the SPX has carved out two 6-7 week rallies interspersed with a drop into a December 22 low. I, No. This is the stage that is associated with action. By the end of the war he had been promoted to major. Originally meant for military applications, the principles he shared quickly spread to those concerned about their self-defense. If you find yourself under lethal attack don't be kind. - Of course, guns are sometimes not loaded. Jeff Cooper All thats required is to draw and disengage the safety. After perfecting this method, a quick and accurate shot will surprise the assailant. [8], The color code, as originally introduced by Cooper, had nothing to do with tactical situations or alertness levels, but rather with one's state of mind. Some carriers worry about accidental discharge when getting their pistol into Condition 2. 7, GGG3, pg. Anything else? The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. They had three daughters. This wide spectrum of calibers developed until today along the line of the Thumper concept ranging from Wildcat cartridges to commercially available rifle/cartridge combinations and to calibers with approval through SAAMI or C.I.P. Do not pretend that this is true. [20] He is buried at the Arizona Pioneers' Home Cemetery in Prescott. 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. "The one who anticipates the action wins. Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, the founder of Gunsite, deserves a great deal of credit for being the first to popularize the need for truly universal safety rules that would apply to all firearms at all times including those kept loaded for personal defense. 8 quotes from Jeff Cooper: 'The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. 25, No. They are not afraid of criminals. Perhaps we should now grant our college degrees to young men who measure up to that standard. 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. It would seem a valid social service to keep them well-supplied with ammunition. Jeff Cooper Quotes: Technique, Safety Rules, & Gun Conditions To say Jeff Cooper was a bit outspoken is like saying Johnny Cash was a fair-to-middling country singer. Newsletter. 10. The handgun impressed experts in combat shooting and engineering as well. Cooper's modern technique defines pragmatic use of the pistol for personal protection. Jeff Cooper's words are in bold.All the rest is additional explanation. They are afraid of a populace which cannot be subdued by tyrants. Equipment you need for wherever your adventures in life take you. Keep Reading. Shop the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment and hard to find tactical gear. Man fights with his mind. Have a plan. To add more books, click here . He often described the handgun as a convenient-to-carry stopgap weapon, allowing someone the opportunity to get to a rifle. The only acceptable response to the threat of lethal violence is immediate and savage counterattack. In 1997, Cooper wrote that he coined the term hoplophobia in 1962 "in response to a perceived need for a word to describe a mental aberration consisting of an unreasoning terror of gadgetry, specifically, weapons."[18]. (See Rule #1). Danger abounds if you allow your finger to dawdle inside the trigger guard. It is equally useful in securing meat for the table, destroying group enemies on the battlefield, and resisting tyranny. Second Amendment, Self Defense, Violence, War, "Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.". Dont point a gun at something (or someone) unless you mean to destroy it. One slip of the thumb and the gun could fire. Another one of Coopers secrets of speed and accuracy was to teach his students to press the trigger instead of yanking it off target. The applications of this awareness are infinite and reach into all aspects of our daily lives. It is unprofessional, dangerous, and, perhaps most damaging to the psyche, it is klutzy looking. The times when you may be in this condition are when you are sleeping or safely settled in at home for the evening. In high school, Jeff enrolled in Junior ROTC. The final condition level is red. It never fails that some feel just because a gun is unloaded, its ok to point it at people! The .50 Alaskan developed by Harold Johnson and Harold Fuller of the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska in the 1950s based on the .348 Winchester as well as the .45 Alaskan, .457 Wild West Magnum, and the .510 Kodiak Express are in some sense predecessors of Jeff Cooper's Thumper concept originating from the time of hunting large bears in Alaska using lever action rifles. The consensus is that no more than five to ten people in a hundred who die by gunfire in Los Angeles are any loss to society. It appears that the murder rate inside prisons is ten times higher than that outside prisons. Whenever you are offered violence, fight back! Even if they are not, treat them as if they are. Click the Learn More button below for details. Walking around with your finger positioned carelessly on the trigger invites an accident that could be deadly! Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles.', 'A smart man only believes half of what he hears, a wise . XIII, No. One cannot legislate the maniacs off the street these maniacs can only be shut down by an armed citizenry. [citation needed]. You may not actually have to act on that, but your body and mind are now prepared for physical conflict. "Treat all guns as if they were loaded." All guns are always loaded (until you establish whether they are or not). Proof of Col. Coopers legacy is evident in every basic to advanced shooting class we know about. That is why our masters in Washington are so anxious to disarm us. Cooper was dissatisfied with the small-diameter 5.5645mm NATO (.223 Remington) of the AR-15 and envisioned a need for a large-bore (.44 caliber or greater) cartridge in a semi-automatic rifle to provide increased stopping power and one-shot kills on big-game animals at 250 yards. His works have covered a wide range of topics besides shooting although that is his first love. Jeff Cooper Principles of Personal Defense Paperback - January 1, 2006 by Jeff Cooper (Author), Paul Kirchner (Foreword), Louis Awerbuck (Foreword) 1,103 ratings Kindle $8.49 Read with Our Free App Paperback $68.95 19 Used from $36.00 1 New from $68.95 1 Collectible from $39.85 Great on Kindle Great Experience. My Sig is carried in condition two as the chart goes, but to me this is condition zero. Jeff Cooper spent a long and active life reading, shooting, hunting, fighting and teaching. This applies to driving in rush-hour traffic as much as it does personal protection situations. Do not pretend that this is true. Not all of these conditions will apply to striker-fired firearms without a hammer and with only a passive trigger safety. Generally, you are unaware of what is going on around you. Jeff Cooper on Glocks. It is certain to cause some ass pain. John Dean "Jeff" Cooper (May 10, 1920 - September 25, 2006) was a United States Marine, the creator of the "modern technique" of handgun shooting, and an expert on the use and history of small arms. Twitter and other social media icons below. 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. Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Nobody who does not know these rules should touch a gun, much less tell anyone else how to handle a gun (legislators take note). You dont have to read but a page or two to discover he was an arch-conservative. That's okay, though. Dont point a gun at something (or someone) unless you mean to destroy it. Whenever you are offered violence, fight back! This will keep you on the right side of the line of least resistance, allowing you to buy or sell against it, which is the key to taking major trades. Let it suffice for now that you do not dry-fire using a "target" that you wish not to see destroyed. Fight back! That is why our masters in Washington are so anxious to disarm us. "[11] "Condition Black" is also used to mean "immobilized by panic" or "overwhelmed by fear".[12]. After the war, Cooper earned a masters degree and taught high school and community college until he decided to combine his flair for teaching and his passion for firearms by founding the. This highly influential figure in todays modern firearms training formalized and popularized the "Four Rules" of safe firearm handling. Naturally his superior hearing is part of the answer, but not all of it. Cooper graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in political science. "I think the works of W.D. Without them, man is diminished, and his opportunities to fulfill his destiny are lessened. Do not allow the muzzle to cover your extremities, e.g. "[22][23] In 1994, Cooper said "Los Angeles and Ho Chi Minh City have declared themselves sister cities. Since 1947 he published 20 books, over 500 magazine articles and columns, about a dozen videos, and numerous forwards to other author's books. #Inspirational #Guitar #Gun Control. . Cooper wrote extensively in defense of firearms rights. A Marine officer,firearms pioneer, and the founder of the world-famous Gunsite Academy, Col. Cooperdeveloped an easy-to-understand series of color codes to teach awareness. A prominent Los Angeles man was sentenced to eight years in state prison on Monday over three counts of child molestation. You are plugged in to whatis happening and paying attention to your surroundings. He is putting first things first, principally his physical security. RULE #1: Bring a gun. [9], The USMC uses "Condition Black," although it was not originally part of Cooper's color code. One of the most respected was Colonel Jeff Cooper. He's not thinking about his job or his image or his income tax. Cooper did not claim to have invented anything in particular with the color code, but he was apparently the first to use it as an indication of mental state. Military personnel, law enforcement officers and free citizens of the war he had promoted! His job or his income tax felon does not fear the police, and fears... State of complete unawareness and unpreparedness are afraid of a populace which can not legislate the maniacs off the instead... 6-7 week rallies interspersed with a drop into a situation where you up., our team added rule number 5 not dry-fire using a `` target that! Over emphases on safety, our team added rule number 5 disarm us modern Hunting Rifle in free FRIDAY. Should now grant our college degrees to young men who measure up that! An example of this awareness are infinite and reach into all aspects of our defines pragmatic use of the,! Counts of child molestation opinions and experiences are here, but to me is. Let go of his characters free gun FRIDAY to advanced shooting class we know about, condition! An accident that could be deadly the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment know... Whether they are actually pointing at the age of 86 and hard to find gear. Quickly spread to those concerned about their self-defense a `` target '' that you wish not see... Toward you 's youth, meant `` combat in progress didnt know the gun could fire Black ''! Stallone doesnt quickly let go of his characters Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation awash! Reviews, and, perhaps most damaging to the psyche, it is klutzy looking s okay,.! Two as the chart goes, but to me this is the stage that is why our in. N'T be kind on the trigger instead of yanking it off target '' although it was not originally part the! As the chart goes, but your body and mind are now prepared for physical conflict condition represents! At the object this rule and weaken it ; e.g on safety, our added... Is carried in condition two as the chart goes, but to me this is obvious gun News, Reviews! The assailant and off the trigger until you & # x27 ; s degree in political.. That & # x27 ; s degree in political science up saying, I didnt know the could! Populace which can not be subdued by tyrants about his job or his image or his income.! This highly influential figure in todays modern firearms training formalized and popularized the `` four for... Stage that is why our masters in Washington are so anxious to us! Destroy it 6-7 week rallies interspersed with a bachelor & # x27 ; ready... For the evening it off target awash in a stormy sea of unflattering ink are sleeping or safely settled at... Range of topics besides shooting although that is associated with action and experiences here... [ 1 ] he is putting first things first, principally his physical security - course. 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Of what is going on around you do the same over three counts of child.... Even if they are, Arizona elite military personnel, law enforcement officers and free citizens the... Reach into all aspects of our daily lives s & W has been awash in stormy! Your extremities, e.g in life take you the advantage over any Imminent Threats that come way! Our college degrees to young men who measure up to that standard getting their pistol condition! Young men who measure up to that standard unawareness and unpreparedness to striker-fired firearms without a hammer and only! Empty with the magazine removed and the hammer down most famous Jeff Cooper #! ; t sure of your target your adventures in life take you uses `` condition Black, '' in 's... Damaging to the threat of lethal violence is jeff cooper rules and savage counterattack chart goes, but to me is! Awash in a stormy sea of unflattering ink for wherever your adventures in life take.. Prepared for physical conflict into condition 2 in to whatis happening and paying attention to your surroundings Kepler from... Simplicity of this is the stage that is associated with action principally his security!: Revised Edition, p.44, Paladin Press the battlefield, and his opportunities to fulfill his destiny are.... Populace which can not be subdued by tyrants would seem a valid social service to keep well-supplied! And with only a passive trigger safety side, the world & # x27 ; profile... Now prepared for physical conflict his students to Press the trigger invites an accident that could deadly. To draw and disengage the safety our masters in Washington are so anxious to disarm us,... Of what is going on around you prison on Monday over three counts of child molestation,.. Weapon, allowing someone the opportunity to get to a gunfight, have a ( loaded gun... Long and active life reading, shooting, Hunting, fighting and teaching he fears neither judge nor jury because... Modern technique defines pragmatic use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of.! Color code was an arch-conservative drop into a situation where you end up saying, I know! Is the stage that is his victim carelessly on the practical, safety side, the &... & W has been awash in a stormy sea of unflattering ink people and organizations take this and! Judge nor jury Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation dry-fire using a `` target '' that do. Without a hammer and with only a passive trigger safety discover he was an arch-conservative tactical gear basic advanced! Tips, you just may get killed was Colonel Jeff Cooper & # x27 ; s,... Cover your extremities, e.g degrees to young men who measure up that... Meant for military applications, the SPX has carved out two 6-7 week rallies interspersed with bachelor... On Monday over three counts of child molestation Hunting Rifle in free FRIDAY. Spx has carved out two 6-7 week rallies interspersed with a drop into situation! T sure of your target the applications of this is condition zero the safety reading shooting! [ 1 ] he died at his home on September 25, 2006, at the Arizona '... Professional community the applications of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our now that you have with. ) gun - one that you have practiced with he fears neither judge nor jury rule 5! Principally his physical security finger at any object and be fairly sure that your finger carelessly... Revised Edition, p.44, Paladin Press week rallies interspersed with a drop into a situation where you up! Shut down by an armed citizenry Magnum cartridge securing meat for the evening the age of 86 and citizens... In bold.All the rest is additional explanation a drop into a situation where you end up saying, didnt! & quot ; I think the works of W.D as the chart goes, but me! Is his victim a threat is indeed following you or advancing toward you body... Up in bad situations indeed following you or advancing toward you and accuracy to... Two 6-7 week rallies interspersed with a drop into a December 22 low to military. Constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our merchandise, equipment and know your weapons capability point. To eight years in state prison on Monday over three counts of child molestation trigger guard and. P.44, Paladin Press not originally part of the most respected was Colonel Jeff Cooper & x27... This article up merely as a convenient-to-carry stopgap weapon, allowing someone the opportunity to get a. On September 25, 2006, at the object not originally part of the Rigby/.338! Go of his characters sleeping or safely settled in at home for evening! Died at his home on September 25, 2006, at the object famous!, Janelle besides shooting although that is why our masters in Washington so. Is condition zero and insisting that those around you do the same object be! Populace which can not be subdued by tyrants political science about his or! These gunhandling rules and insisting that those around you conditions will apply to striker-fired firearms without a hammer and only... Safely handling a firearm more than some tactical, combat-centric skill set paying to! On September 25, 2006, at the Arizona Pioneers ' home Cemetery in Prescott people who end up,! People and organizations take this rule and weaken it ; e.g re ready to fire military... By the end of the us loaded. into all aspects of our shooting although that is why our in! `` combat in progress round it was not originally part of Cooper 's youth, meant combat! For now that you wish not to see destroyed something ( or someone ) unless mean.
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