[April 16, 2021] An article I wrote last month on the rules of a gunfight was popular, especially among younger readers of my leadership blog. So, I decided to follow up. Here are five MORE rules of a gunfight with comments.
Most of us will go through our entire lives without having to fire a shot. That means those police officers, military personnel, and others who carry a gun professionally will rarely be in a situation to fire their weapon. One day, however, you might. Here are more rules to follow in a gunfight.
- Accuracy is relative; most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on “pucker factor” than the gun’s inherent accuracy. Comment: Be quick or be dead. The blast of a gun is deafening. If you are forced into a gunfight, remember there will be shock from the muzzle blast of the gun going off. Keep your head, and you will survive.
- Always cheat, always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose. Comment: When lives are on the line, be ready to overwhelm the bad guys. You must be prepared to do whatever it takes to save lives, and that is why you bring lots of friends with lots of guns.
- Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. Comment: Have the right tools for the job. Always be armed with a gun that works every time. Reliability counts, so take good care of it. “All skill is in vain when an Angel blows the powder from the flintlock of your musket.”
- Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty. Comment: “Never, never, never give up.” Fight to the end with everything you have, and don’t let the other guy get the drop on you. Use all your resources, don’t hold back extra rounds.
- Train hard. Practice, Practice, Practice. Comment: Practice shooting in the dark, with someone yelling at you, when out of breath, when tired, and under different scenarios. Shoot often. Go alone and with friends. Shoot left and right-handed. Shoot different types of guns. Get used to the sounds and smells of gunpowder. Be prepared.
Many people train all their lives for that one time they may get into a gunfight. That is a good thing. If you are not ready, you and possibly your family and friends will die. The Boy Scouts have it right, be prepared in everything you do.
When you are the good guy, there is no such thing as being unprincipled when someone’s life is at stake. Yell, scream, throw things (mostly bullets). Someday, someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it’s empty.
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Note: Rules were selected from “30 Rules of a Gunfight” by Shannon McGurk on his blog titled You Matter As a Man: https://authenticmasculinity.com/rules-of-a-gunfight/
The Boy Scouts have it right, be prepared. Well said and common sense to most of us. Those that read these pages in Gen. Satterfield’s leadership blog are not disappointed today because they have something to talk about at work (or school) and are better off for it. What is good about this blog is that it gives you a little bit of leadership to think about every day. No day disappoints. Please recommend this blog to others so that they may also get that dose of leadership.
Max, well said. But what about #2, “Always cheat, always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.” Gen. Satterfield does not like cheating. He’s said it over and over, yet advocates for it now.
When lives are at stake, anything goes. I think by “cheat” he means it is okay to go against our cultural mores. For example it is against our mores to kill. But if someone is about to kill you, then, well the only way out is to protect yourself in the most extreme manner. If they have a knife and are trying to kill you, and you have a gun, well …. the solution is obvious.
True! Thanks Guns are Us for speaking the truth.
Excellent questions and answers. This is why I come to this forums page. Explains often what is not said.
Even as a leader we must have a tool that “works EVERY TIME.” Seems like a no brainer but too many people simply don’t pay attention. Gen. S. refers to this as intellectual laziness. I agree.
Gen. Satterfield, if you find 5 more of these, please publish them as well.
Yep, gotcha here. More is better in this case. Why? Because it is not just the idea of a gunfight (who would want to be in one is a bit nutty?) but if you find yourself there, it is best to be ready. Gen. Satterfield is advising us to be ready.
Another laughable moment coming here. This list is delightful, as was the first five. Just another reason to keep coming back to this leadership website.
You got that right, Frank. I’m one of the many fans of Gen. S’s leadership blog.
Enjoy this blog, enjoy this comment forum. That is the positive aspects when Gen. Satterfield takes us on a journey of literature to explain more of the common aspects of leadership. Frankly, I’m a longtime fan and contributor to his forum where I find valuable feedback on my ideas.
Dennis, you are spot-on with your comment about getting feedback on your ideas. That is also why I come to this blog. And it is done so respectfully unlike so many other websites that only discuss leadership to make a few extra dollars for their business.
“When you are the good guy, there is no such thing as being unprincipled when someone’s life is at stake. ” I found this quote by you, Gen. Satterfield, to be interesting. At first I didn’t understand it. Now I only think I do. Only the good guys can save others. The bad are only interested in themselves and more power over others.
Good one, Gen. Satterfield. What makes this article valuable outside the entertainment value (which it does have), I found the ‘comments’ you’ve made to be more about life in general and leadership. That is the value here. Well done. I looked up the reference to read these in summary form and found that they put a smile on my face.
Me too, but I don’t know why so much it made me laugh. Maybe these are things that turn weak men into strong men. That is a “good” thing for us to contemplate and DO. Just my little thoughts early this Friday morning.
Forrest, you are too much. Entertainment and Education. Both in one article. 😊
I really loved your first 5 rules of a gunfight and now 5 MORE. A great segway to the coming weekend and time with the family. 👍👍👍👍