Do you know & follow rule #1 of a gunfight?

[Kalashnikov]

In a man-to-man fight, the winner is he who has one more round in his magazine.
Erwin Rommel

 

[Junior_357]

My initial thought was "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight".

I disagree with #24. I take a .357 Mag anytime I carry. With the right ammo...I can not only the closest perp, but potentially the one behind him as well! Plus...in any given wheelgun I can get at least one and usually 2 more rounds than any caliber that starts with a '4'. Less reloading = more chance of survival...guess that's what Glock was thinking as well...

 

[Retread]

I thought it was... Dont bring a knife

Then how you gonna skin 'em when the shootin's over?

Maybe I got issues, but I really owe some payback!

 

[Ken Ford]

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap – life is expensive.3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.4. If your shooting stance is good, you’re probably not moving fast enough or using cover correctly.5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on “pucker factor” than the inherent accuracy of the gun. Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. “All skill is in vain when an Angel blows the powder from the flintlock of your musket.”10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.11. Always cheat, always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.12. Have a plan.13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won’t work.14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.16. Don’t drop your guard.17. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them.)19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.21. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.23. Your number one option for personal security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.24. Do not attend a gun fight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with anything smaller than “4″.25. You can’t miss fast enough to win.

#23 should be #2

 

[republican]

#23 should be #2

What he said. Always avoid confrontation whenever possible. 99.9% of bad stuff happens in bad places you already know about, between bad people you already know about and after you should have been at home in the first place. Basically if you think to yourself " hey maybe I need to carry my gun while I use the bathroom in that convienience store" you should probably hold it for a couple of more exits.

 

[Peacekeeper]

The only real way to win is never be in one.

 

[Patronus]

The only real way to win is never be in one.

LOL! I can't help it..this made me think of:

 

[Grub Master]

Bullets don't turn corners.

 

[TattooedGunner]

I count rule 1 of a gunfight as not get shot if at all possible.

Move first, then worry about your draw or other attack depending on situation

 

[protective measures]

I agree w/ all of the comments above regarding avoiding violence where possible... except that in most if not all occasions where use of deadly force is justified the defender is reacting to an aggressors actions.

We don't get to pick the time, place, or manner that it happens.
All of that is chosen by the attacker.

Sure, by having good situational awareness we can reduce that likelihood considerably, but no amount of vigilance can guarantee protection from violence 100% of the time.