Understanding the relevance of the 21-Foot Principle, often called the 21-Foot Rule, in modern self-defense training.
The 21-Foot Principle, often mistakenly referred to as the “21-Foot Rule,” gained prominence through the work of Dennis Tueller, a police officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department. This principle emerged from Tueller’s informal studies on the potential threat posed by an attacker armed with a knife.
His findings suggested that an able-bodied male could cover approximately 21 feet in a second and a half, which is roughly the same amount of time it takes for a reasonably trained police officer to draw their firearm and discharge a shot. This concept has since become widely known and applied, even within legal circles, despite the misnomer “21-Foot Rule.”
The Origin and Misinterpretation of the 21-Foot Principle
The term “21-Foot Rule” is a bit of a misnomer because it suggests a hard-and-fast rule when, in reality, it’s more of a guideline or principle. Tueller’s research was intended to help officers understand the time frame within which an attacker could become a deadly threat. The crux of the principle is that an attacker could potentially cover 21 feet in the time it takes an officer to draw and fire their weapon. This realization has significant implications for law enforcement and self-defense training, providing a framework for understanding when a threat becomes immediate and unavoidable.
Application and Training
Incorporating the 21-Foot Principle into training helps individuals recognize when they might be in imminent danger. However, it’s essential to understand that the exact distance can vary depending on numerous factors. The principle encourages considering the context of a potential threat, including the attacker’s physical abilities, the presence of obstacles, and whether the attacker is visibly armed.
For example, a knife in-hand is a more immediate threat than a folding knife in a pocket. The “Danger Zone,” as Tueller called it, will also vary based on the skill of the officer or armed citizen. What’s the availability of cover/concealment? What are the avenues for retreat or movement? How quickly can the person draw their firearm? All of these factors, and others, play into the analysis of when an attacker poses a deadly threat.
Legal Considerations and the Totality of Circumstances
When determining the legality of using deadly force, the totality of circumstances is paramount. The actions of the defender are judged based on whether they were reasonable given the immediate threat posed. The challenge lies in the timing: acting too soon might result in a charge for murder, while acting too late could result in serious injury or death. The 21-Foot Principle assists individuals in articulating why they perceive a threat as an immediate threat based on the circumstances, which can be crucial in legal proceedings.
Civilian Vs. Law Enforcement Application
While some argue that the principles applied to law enforcement don’t always extend to non-law enforcement contexts, the core idea remains relevant. In many jurisdictions, if a person is charged with using a knife, the defender might be justified in using deadly force if they can articulate the threat they faced.
The ability to explain why an attacker posed an immediate threat is critical, aligning with Massad Ayoob’s concept of “Can You Articulate” (CYA) the justification for your actions. The CYA theory underscores that it’s not enough to simply act in self-defense. One must also be capable of articulating the reasons for those actions in a clear, logical and legally sound manner. This ability can be crucial in determining the legal outcome of a self-defense incident and protecting oneself from potential legal consequences.
Practical Training and Real-World Application
Hands-on training drills, such as those conducted at Gunsite, Rangemaster, Thunder Ranch, the Firearms Academy of Seattle and other reputable training organizations provide practical insights into the 21-Foot Principle. These drills often involve scenarios where trainees experience firsthand the difficulty of reacting to a fast-moving threat, illustrating how quickly an attacker can close the distance.
The AOJ Triad
Understanding the 21-Foot Principle also involves considering the AOJ triad: Ability, Opportunity and Jeopardy. This framework, often discussed by self-defense expert Ayoob, helps determine the legitimacy of using deadly force.
- Ability: Does the attacker have the means (a weapon, physical strength) to cause harm?
- Opportunity: Is the attacker close enough to use their means effectively?
- Jeopardy: Is there an apparent intent to cause harm, such as verbal threats or aggressive actions?
This triad helps ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the threat, reinforcing the importance of context in making split-second decisions.
Conclusion
The 21-Foot Principle remains a crucial element in defense training, emphasizing the importance of context and rapid response in face-to-face confrontations. While it originated from law enforcement studies, its application extends to non-law enforcement contexts, providing a valuable tool for understanding and articulating the presence of an immediate threat. By considering factors such as the AOJ triad and engaging in practical training exercises, individuals can better prepare themselves for potential encounters and ensure their actions are both reasonable and legally justifiable.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
More Knowledge For The Armed Citizen:
- Carry Law: What Is A Righteous Shooting?
- Concealed Carry and the Right to Remain Silent
- Tips For Communicating With Police After Shootings
- Concealed Carry: After the Shooting
- Q&A: Massad Ayoob On Self-Defense
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As a State and DHS Certified Instr – I teach a class in – Armed – Home & Self Defense.
On the critical importance of the Draw-Stroke/Moves.
The 21 ft rule:
After discussing/teaching students in a classroom setting – /Guns, Ammo, Defensive Shooting, etc.
One of the 1st physical things I do is have students stand 21ft away from me. And ME armed with a Blunt – Plastic/Rubber Knife.
The student is armed with a Plastic Training Gun in a Kydex Holster(ie a Quick-Draw) Holster at 3 Oclock. No Retention Features etc.
I then show them, in detail, move-by-move, the fastest way to draw, present and fire a gun, on target.
Then I Have them – Show-ME – Their Draw/Present and repeat a few times with corrections.
So they know, at least, the Fundamentals of the “Draw Stroke”.
Then I tell them I am going to “charge at them” with the knife and “They” are to – “Draw and Shoot Me – before I can Stab Them.” With “Me” standing 21ft away. ie the 21ft rule.
Now “I” am 77yo so not as fast as when I was 22yo 🙂
So there is That.
BUT – I have yet to have – Even One Student – be able to draw and shoot me before they are stabbed.
It is an “eye opener” for them.
To realize how important just the “Draw and Present” Moves can be. And that practicing “Just That” is Critical.
And “Situation Awareness”. ALWAYS
And – We Have not even gotten to actually “shooting” a pistol Yet.
Also this Emphasizes “Situation Awareness” and “Drives Home” – The importance of ingraining the Specific Moves needed to “Most Efficiently”, Properly and Solidly DRAW from a Holster.
Without – “Rushing”.
ie Practice the moves until you “cannot get it wrong”.
So It becomes Automatic/Kinesthetic.
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Kinesthetic sympathy is the state of having an emotional attachment to an object when it is in hand which one does not have when it is out of sight.[1]
Concept
The concept of kinesthetic sympathy is associated with John Martin, a dance critic. He introduced it in a New York Times article that discussed how the audience members respond to movements of the dancers on stage. Such response is said to transpire subconsciously.[2] According to Martin, “when we see a human body moving, we see movement which is potentially producible by any human body and therefore by our own.”[3] This link allows humans to reproduce the movement in their present muscular experience and even awaken its connotations as if the perceived movement was their own.[3] What this means is that an individual – through kinesthetic sympathy – could perform movements that are beyond his body’s capacities.[3]
Kinesthetic sympathy is linked to the concept of kinesthetic empathy, which pertains to the embodied experience of movement emotion.[4]
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Since I then show them, the fastest and most solid-way/Every Move in Detail – how to “Draw from a Holster” At 3 Oclock.(The “Fast-Draw” does not get much Easier or Faster than at 3 Oclock). Assuming Right Hand Shooters.
It emphasizes the importance of Situation Awareness and a Good, Solid Draw-Stroke(Well Taught, Learned and Practiced).