Thinking Man's Corner

Article by: Dennis Martin

Editor’s Note” Dennis Martin is an old friend of mine. He is one of the most knowledgeable close in protection specialists in the world (having served five different royal families, among other at risk persons), the foremost expert on WWII combatives still alive, a wealth of knowledge on all things related to self defense, and the most discerning connoisseur of tea to ever serve the British Empire. He has worked as a law enforcement officer in South Africa, provided training to military and law enforcement special operations all over the world, and been the keynote speaker at one of the GALEFI annual training conferences. I am proud to present his knowledge here, and look forward to being able to post more of his articles in the future. (He is a Brit, so sometimes he spells words wrong. I have left them as is for the full effect…..)

All the four main safety rules [or laws, as I prefer] apply to all types of firearm. Rules two and three are considered the physically operation rules, because they come into play whenever the weapon is in the hand. Rule three simply requires finger off the trigger [outside the trigger-guard] with any weapon, but the differences in how we handle and carry long guns makes observance of Rule two a specific challenge.

[Police gunship for convoy escort]

This was first brought home to me in Rhodesia, when travelling in the protected convoy from the border at Beit-bridge, up to Bulawayo, then Jo’burg. I was the designated rifleman, in the vehicle, and realised that getting in and out of vehicles, carriage at a rest-stop etc, all presented safety problems that the holstered pistol avoided.

[Den at Beit Bridge]

The “laser rule” is invaluable in this case. However, it requires mindfulness, you must be aware of the muzzle at all times, and humans are not very good at this! Lessons were reinforced when I went through the Combat Shotgun instructional program. Safety was paramount, and if you muzzle-swept your fellow trainees, the staff, or, yourself even once, you failed the course. This applied just as much when the weapon was slung. You had to observe the Laser Rule whether the shotgun was slung muzzle up, or, muzzle down; and things like bending down to pick up kit off the ground had to be done with Rule two in mind. This course stood me in
good stead, and ingrained lasting habits.

[The MP-5 has an excellent sling]

Of course when Rule two is broken excuse is always “it’s not loaded” We have case after case of tragedies with “unloaded” guns It has also made me very aware of lapses by others, who should know better. I remember watching a TV documentary about Heathrow Airport, and the police could be seen parading down the concourse, with the muzzles of their MP-5s sweeping seated passengers.

Similarly, during the terror alert in 2017, in Liverpool city centre the heavily armed Tactical Aid Group personnel were posted as a deterrent. A passer-by stopped to chat to an officer, and the muzzle of his G-36 was covering his little lad’s head. It’s careless, it’s unprofessional. The safety
laws are inviolate.

[FBI HRT member violates Rule 2]

SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Working on “chopper drops” with the Unit in South Africa we were briefed on safety. Usually the Air Force requires no magazines, even on holstered pistols, but they gave us a pass on that one.

[Heli ops with the Unit and the Army]

There is really no safe place to point muzzle within heli [upwards = rotor disc, down = control systems] so some military units rely on Rule 3 and insist that the troops rest their rifle muzzle on their foot, to encourage finger off trigger.

FINAL THOUGHT
Carrying the long gun requires more thought, more care than required with the holstered pistol. A good initial grounding through a professional safety course would seem the obvious step. After that just keep your mind on the muzzle.

Dennis Martin has a book/video review channel here
https://www.youtube.com/@workingwithwarriorsbookshe4145/videos