The Four Rules of Firearms Safety — A Series

Introduction to the Series: The Four Rules of Firearms Safety

Firearms safety is built on a foundation of mindset, not just mechanics. Few principles have stood the test of time like the Four Rules of Firearms Safety, first popularized by Col. Jeff Cooper. These rules are concise, universal, and unforgiving—guidelines that protect lives in every setting from the range to the living room.

This series of four blog posts will explore each rule from the perspective of four esteemed firearms trainers: Col. Jeff Cooper, Massad Ayoob, Tom Givens, and Dave Spaulding. With decades of combined experience in law enforcement, military, competition, and civilian training, they provide valuable insights into the real-world application of these rules.

Each post will break down one rule, illustrate it with expert commentary, and ground it in real-life examples—because safety isn’t learned by reading alone, but by making these habits second nature. Whether you’re new to firearms or a seasoned shooter, this series will challenge you to sharpen your safety mindset.

Meet the Experts

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  Col. Jeff Cooper – U.S. Marine, author, and pioneer of modern pistol training. His Four Rules transformed handgunning safety instruction globally, combining simplicity with unflinching discipline.

  

  Massad Ayoob – Veteran instructor, expert witness, and author. He brings a pragmatic guardrail to safety, urging shooters to think ahead of the courtroom as well as the range.

  
  

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  Tom Givens – Founder of Rangemaster, with decades of experience training civilians and officers. His approach to safety isn’t textbook—it’s lived and hammered home through repetition and consequence.

  

  Dave Spaulding – Law enforcement veteran turned trainer, founder of Handgun Combatives. Known for teaching fundamentals like safety with an operational and no-excuses mindset.

  
  

Rule 1 — “All Guns Are Always Loaded”

Col. Jeff Cooper would say it bluntly: "All guns are always loaded — even if they are not, treat them as if they are." That clarity leaves no room for ambiguity—ever.

Massad Ayoob echoes this in layers, teaching: "ALL guns ARE always loaded!" This foundational principle underpins all firearms safety. His instructional tone always underscores that treating guns as truly loaded keeps you honest and vigilant.

Tom Givens, no-nonsense as ever, opens his classes by teaching that these are not just “range rules.” They are “firearms-handling rules for life.” He leads with Rule 1 and ensures students internalize it before they even touch a weapon.

Dave Spaulding builds on this. With nearly four decades in law enforcement and SWAT training, his “essentials” begin with recognizing that any handling—whether cleaning, dry-firing, or hands-on—is an action taken as if the gun is live.

Real-Life Scenario

During a recent advanced defensive pistol class, Tom Givens shared a story from a student who nearly caused a serious accident. While holstering after a drill, the student assumed the gun was empty and let their finger drift onto the trigger. A slight stumble caused an inadvertent discharge into the ground near their feet. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident became a powerful lesson in the importance of treating every gun as loaded — regardless of circumstance.

Another example: At a department training class, an officer casually picks up a handgun from the table and assures a classmate: “It’s unloaded, I checked it.” Only when it clicks empty does he relax. But the moment he looked away—just a heartbeat—Rule 1 was already broken. That split second of false confidence is exactly why Cooper insists on always treating every gun as if it’s live.

Expert Perspectives

Cooper imbues discipline: “Do not let yourself fall prey to blind trust—even your own.”

Ayoob layers with rationale: treating guns as loaded instills a mindset—not just a procedure.

Givens carries urgency: for him, these rules extend beyond the range—they are behaviors forged in character.

Spaulding frames it as an “essential,” not optional—even routine handling mandates the same caution.

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Reflective Questions

• Reflect on your last handling of a firearm: did you honor Rule 1 fully, or were any assumptions made?

• What systems (visual reminders, checklists, routines) can you build into your training or daily handling to ensure this rule is never compromised?