The Rule of Three: Why It Is Dangerous, Misleading, and Biblically Contrary to Proper Training

In many modern firearms discussions, especially among concealed carriers and even some instructors, the “Rule of Three” is often repeated as though it is an immutable truth:
Most defensive shootings happen at 3 yards, in 3 seconds, using 3 rounds.

While the Rule of Three may have originated as a rough statistical observation from past law-enforcement studies, it has become misused, frequently adopted as an excuse for minimal training, complacency, and the belief that “good enough” is acceptable when it comes to skill, readiness, and personal defense.

This blog argues that the Rule of Three should never be treated as a training standard. It undermines genuine preparedness, gives shooters a false sense of security, and contradicts biblical principles of discipline, stewardship, and readiness. Proper training, live fire, dry fire, situational awareness, and stress-management, equips responsible citizens to respond effectively should they ever face real danger.

At Goldbar Defense, we believe in training shooters properly, completely, and confidently, rejecting shortcuts and promoting a mindset of responsibility, excellence, and biblical stewardship.

1. The Rule of Three: What It Is, and Why It Fails

The Rule of Three is commonly stated as:

• 3 yards

• 3 rounds

• 3 seconds

It suggests most gunfights occur at extremely close range, finish quickly, and involve minimal shots.
Even if these numbers were true historically, they are deeply misleading for training.

A. Real Violence Does Not Follow Rules

Violent encounters vary dramatically:

• Some occur beyond 7–10 yards.

• Some involve multiple attackers.

• Some require moving to cover.

• Some last far longer than 3 seconds.

• Some require accuracy under extreme stress, chaos, and physical resistance.

Criminals adapt. Situations evolve. Contexts change.

Training to a “rule” that assumes every violent encounter will be short, close, and simple is not just foolish, it is dangerously negligent.

B. The Rule of Three Encourages Minimalism in Training

When shooters accept this rule uncritically, they often conclude:

• “I only need to shoot at 3 yards.”

• “I don’t need to train past a few rounds.”

• “I’ll rise to the occasion.”

• “Stress won’t change my accuracy.”

But you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of training.

Minimal training creates:

• complacency

• poor habits

• false confidence

• lack of stress inoculation

• catastrophic performance under pressure

C. The Rule of Three Is Statistically Outdated

Modern defensive encounters have evolved dramatically because:

• criminals will sneak up on you and be within arms reach or closer before you can react

• criminals use distance as advantage

• more attacks happen in transitional spaces (parking lots, gas stations, entrances)

• armed citizens increasingly stop active threats at longer ranges

A citizen defender may need more accuracy, more competence, and more composure than ever.

2. Biblical Principles: Proper Training Is a Moral, Spiritual, and Theological Duty

The Bible repeatedly teaches the necessity of discipline, training, vigilance, and preparation. God rewards diligence and condemns complacency.

A. Proverbs 22:3 – The Wise Prepare

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.”

This verse demolishes the mindset behind the Rule of Three.
Preparation prevents disaster; complacency invites it.

Training is biblical stewardship.

B. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 – Train With Discipline

Paul compares the Christian life to athletes who train rigorously:

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.”

Paul concludes, “I discipline my body”—the Greek hypōpiazō, meaning to strike, subdue, or train with intensity.
He is saying: excellence requires deliberate, disciplined training.

If athletes train with discipline for a temporary crown, how much more should we train to protect life, one of God’s greatest gifts?

C. Proverbs 10:4 – Negligence Brings Ruin

“A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

Spiritually and practically, Scripture condemns “bare minimum effort.”

Minimal training = negligence
Diligent preparation = obedience and stewardship

D. Nehemiah 4:9 – Prayer and Preparation

Nehemiah said:

“We prayed to our God and set a guard as protection.”

They did not pray instead of preparing, they prayed and took defensive action.

Modern Christians should do the same:
Pray, train, stay vigilant.

3. Dry Fire Practice: The Most Important Training a Shooter Can Do

Dry fire is one of the safest, most effective ways to develop skill without ammunition.
While we cannot provide step-by-step weapon manipulation instructions here, we can safely state:

A. Why Dry Fire Matters

Dry fire improves:

• neural pathways

• trigger control

• sight alignment

• consistent draw (with safe, unloaded firearm practice tools)

• stability and grip

• muscle memory

Dry fire is where real skill is built, and it is the opposite of the Rule of Three’s laziness.

B. Dry Fire Builds Stress-Proof Fundamentals

Under pressure, fine motor skills degrade.
Dry fire engrains mechanics so deeply that they hold under stress.

A person who practices only “3 rounds at 3 yards” cannot perform under adrenaline.
A person who trains dry fire regularly can.

4. Cooper’s Color Codes of Awareness: Actual Preparedness vs. Rule-of-Three Complacency

Colonel Jeff Cooper developed the widely-adopted Color Codes of Awareness:

• White – Oblivious, unaware

• Yellow – Relaxed alert

• Orange – Specific alert

• Red – Action phase

The Rule of Three fosters Condition White (“I’ll be fine at 3 yards”).
Proper training keeps you in Condition Yellow, scanning and aware.

Biblical Parallel: 1 Peter 5:8

“Be sober-minded; be watchful.”

This is literally a theological mandate for Condition Yellow.

Preparedness is biblical.
Ignorance is not.

5. The 21-Foot Rule (Tueller Principle): Distance Matters More Than the Rule of Three Suggests

The Tueller Drill showed that an assailant with a knife can close 21 feet in about 1.5 seconds.

This destroys the myth that threats occur only at 3 yards.

Why This Matters

• A knife attacker at 21 feet is already a lethal threat.

• A violent person can close distance faster than reaction time.

• Shooters must be trained to respond intelligently to distance, movement, and timing.

A 3-yard mindset breeds complacency.
A 21-foot understanding creates realism and humility.

6. Proper Training Prepares You for Real Life

Violence is dynamic:

• poor lighting

• crowds

• stress

• close quarters

• moving threats

• the need to communicate

• the need to avoid bystanders

• the possibility of multiple attackers

• legal considerations

• civilians nearby

Training that assumes “3 rounds at 3 yards in 3 seconds” does nothing to prepare a person for these complexities.

Real training includes:

• situational awareness

• movement

• verbal skills

• judgment

• stress-management

• understanding of lawful self-defense

• biblical worldview of responsibility and stewardship

This is training that saves lives, not rules of three.

7. The Biblical Mandate for Excellence in Self-Defense Training

A. Colossians 3:23

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.”

This includes:

• protecting your family

• safeguarding the innocent

• stewarding your skills responsibly

Excellence honors God.
Mediocrity cheapens His gifts.

B. Proverbs 21:31

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.”

Biblically:

• We do the preparation.

• God provides the outcome.

This means:
Training is obedience.
Complacency is disobedience.

8. Goldbar Defense: Where Training Is Complete, Responsible, and Confidence-Building

At Goldbar Defense, we reject the Rule of Three and everything it encourages.

Here is what makes our training different:

A. We Train You Completely

• fundamental skills

• situational awareness

• legal understanding

• stress inoculation

• movement and positioning

• defensive mindset

• dry-fire integration

• reaction-time improvement

B. We Train You Realistically

We train as though your life or your family’s life depends on it, because one day, it might.

C. We Train You Biblically

We promote vigilance, stewardship of skill, excellence, and moral responsibility.

D. We Train You Confidently

Confidence comes not from hope or assumption,
but from competence,
skill,
and consistent training.

In Conclusion

The Rule of Three may have been a statistical observation once, but it has become a theological, tactical, and practical trap. It lulls shooters into complacency, encourages minimal effort, and contradicts biblical teachings about preparedness, vigilance, and disciplined training.

Instead of relying on oversimplified rules, responsible defenders must:

• train diligently,

• practice dry fire regularly,

• maintain situational awareness through Cooper’s Color Codes,

• understand the realities shown by the 21-Foot Rule,

• and pursue the excellence Scripture commands.

At Goldbar Defense, our mission is to equip you with the skill, confidence, and biblical mindset necessary to protect yourself and others responsibly, without shortcuts, complacency, or false assumptions.

Remember when seconds count and help is minutes away, you are your own first responder.

Stay safe my friends.

Pastor Bart Goldbar

Goldbar Defense LLC