Brian Pfleuger said:
So, the obviousness of Rule #1 wasn't enough so we made 2, 3 and 4.
Those rules aren't enough, so we want to make more.
Why do we think THOSE rules are enough? You already can't possibly shoot someone without violating AT LEAST THREE rules. What good is the 5th, 6th, 7th?
You are right, of course, but there are classes, and then there are classes. I don't teach advanced tactical shootouts with bad guys at Thunder Ranch, I teach mostly NRA Basic Pistol, to people who are just setting out to get a carry license. Some may have shot before (usually a rifle rather than a handgun, but most have not shot before. many have never even held a gun before.
Of course, the NRA doesn't teach Cooper's four rules, the NRA teaches the NRA's three rules, plus ten (or so) sub-rules. But ... I'm teaching the NRA's course so I teach the NRA's rules. Either way, though, by the time you get past Rule #2 you can see that you've already lost some of the class. It isn't that they aren't listening, and it isn't that they aren't trying ... it's just that they don't really "get it" at a core level. And one class isn't likely to fully hammer it into their heads.
IMHO the worst of the worst are the young studs who just got out of the military and think they know everything. If there's anyone in a class whose going to have a live 9mm or .45 ACP round in his pocket, and just HAS to try it in a gun you pass around, it's going to be one of these hot-shots. THEY know how to shoot, so the rules don't apply to them. They aren't there to learn, they're only there to get their piece of paper so they can take it to the state and apply for the license.
It warms the cockles of my black l'il heart when one of these clowns comes with his significant other, who has never held a handgun (or any gun) before, and she outshoots him on the live fire portion of the class.
But ... I digress. I suppose I'm being illogical, but I don't see a "NO AMMO IN THE CLASSROOM" rule as being "another" rule. It's not one that needs to be remembered and practiced by the students every day. It's a one-time rule that the instructor remembers FOR the students, and promulgates through course announcements, signs at the door, and an announcement at the beginning of the class. (And, yes, even after all that, there will inevitably be that one clown who keeps his live round and can't resist seeing how it fits in the gun that's being passed around.)
Back to my basic point (before I lose sight of it forever): The four rules (or the NRA's 3+10 rules) are enough,
IF the student can remember them and grasp them. That's actually asking a lot from people who are new to guns, and are somewhat intimidated by just being in a room in close proximity to guns. So we (as instructors, or coaches, or whatever) need to remember that rookies ARE rookies, that they DON'T know the rules cold, and that they need coaching to ease them into feeling comfortable with handling guns
while remembering the four rules.
