With all the violence that’s going on all around us I thought it would be a good time to discuss the fundamentals of individual protection. Specifically, Jeff Cooper’s book, Principles of Personal Defense. This short read covers seven essential topics on dealing with violence, and should be read by everyone, including those who don’t carry firearms.

Principles of Personal Defense was published in 1972 by Paladin Press. More mature readers will be familiar with Paladin; founded in 1970 by Peter Lund and Robert K. Brown, a retired “Green Beret” who also started Soldier of Fortune magazine in 1975.

My copy of Principles is from 1981, and is forty-two pages long, with a two-page forward by Louis Awerbuck. “Some people,” Awerbuck begins, “prey upon other people.” This is true of our past, he adds, and our future. The only way to stop violence is to avoid and escape or, fight against it.

Defensive strategy, tactics and techniques flow from Cooper’s maxims. Without principles guiding you it’s difficult to develop a plan of action and ways of implementing a response.

“Alertness” is first. Paying attention to your surroundings and the people it contains is necessary for avoidance/escape. If you don’t see the situation developing prior to the point it becomes violent, avoiding or escaping is more difficult. Defeat may be forgiven, Cooper explains, “but (you may) never (be forgiven) for being surprised.” The key is recognizing trouble can occur anytime, anywhere. “Be aware. Be ready. Be alert.”

“Decisiveness” is next. “It is difficult for a domesticated man to change in an instant into one who can take quick, decisive action to meet a violent emergency.” Particularly Cooper adds, “… those which can only be solved by the use of force and violence on our part ….” Fighting is a mental process. It’s about high-speed decision making, cycling through the O.O.D.A. Loop. “He who hesitates,” Cooper tells us, “is indeed lost.”

Cooper’s third principle is “Aggressiveness.” While we don’t start the fight, once it’s unavoidable your response must be “an explosive counter-attack.” The only way to stop violence is with ferocious response.

“Speed is the absolute essence of any form of combat …”. When attacked there is no delay; your response must be immediate. “Be sudden. Be quick. Speed is your salvation.”

During all this, “Coolness” is required, especially to ensure “Precision” with firearms. There are only two things you can control during the fight – what you do and the pace you perform. “If you lose ‘your cool’ under deadly attack you will probably not survive to make excuses.”

Many people have a problem with “Ruthlessness.” There is no such thing as a fair fight. “The attacker must be stopped. At once and completely.” You use every advantage to ensure victory. “If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it.”

The final principle is “Surprise.” This element isn’t often discussed. An unexpected response, “… doing what our assailant least expects us to do …” may completely disorient the threat. You’re forcing them back to the “Orient” phase of their O.O.D.A. Loop.

Principles of Personal Defense is out of print and old copies apparently are expensive. But it is available in digital format. Do yourself a favor. Read and study this book well and regularly.

Editor’s Note: Principles of Personal Defense shows as a current selection available at the Gunsite Pro Shop, available online here.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.