Does the ‘3-3-3 Rule’ Hold Up for Civilian Self-Defense?

If you’ve spent any time around defensive training circles, you’ve heard it: most gunfights happen within 3 feet, in 3 seconds, with 3 shots fired.

The so-called “3-3-3 rule.”

On a recent episode of the Armed Attorneys podcast, the Texas-based legal team dug into whether that rule actually applies to civilian self-defense, and they didn’t just speculate. They pulled real case data from their own files.

Quick aside: we like these guys. They’re knowledgeable, practical, and usually bring solid legal insight to the table. And this episode was no exception (see below).

Where the 3-3-3 Rule Comes From

The rule traces back to FBI law enforcement data, not civilian encounters. Historically, officer-involved shootings often happened:

• Within 3 feet
• In under 3 seconds
• With 3 shots or fewer

But officers are typically making arrests or initiating contact. Civilians aren’t handcuffing suspects on the street. That difference matters.

So the Armed Attorneys asked the real question:

Does this hold up for regular concealed carriers?

What Their Civilian Data Showed

They analyzed their 30 most recent shooting cases (single attacker, single defender) and found:

🔫 Shots Fired

• 13 of 30 cases involved 3 shots or fewer
• Average was about 3.75 to 4 shots
• Convictions tended to increase when shots fired averaged 7 or more

The “3 shots” part? It’s the closest part of the rule to holding up.

📏 Distance

This is where things really shifted.

• Average distance: 9.5 feet
• Most engagements occurred between 5–12 feet
• Very few were within 3 feet

Road rage cases and vehicle confrontations pushed distances even farther.

Bottom line: For civilians, it’s rarely a 3-foot contact fight.

⏱ Time

• Average duration from draw to resolution: ~6 seconds

Still fast. Still chaotic. But not quite the 3-second myth.

The Real Eye-Opener: You Might Know the Attacker

One stat stood out:

About 40% of the time, the defender knew the attacker.

Family disputes. Neighbors. Acquaintances. Alcohol-fueled arguments.

It wasn’t always a stranger in a dark alley. That’s a reality most carriers don’t mentally rehearse.

So… Does 3-3-3 Hold Up?

Not exactly.

The “vibe” holds:

• It’s fast.
• It’s close.
• It’s over quickly.

But for civilians:

• It’s usually farther than 3 feet
• It often lasts closer to 6 seconds
• It averages around 4 shots

And legally? More shots can create more room for prosecutorial scrutiny, even if you were justified.

The Takeaway for GA Readers

If you carry, train realistically:

• Expect engagement distances closer to 10 feet, not 3.
• Expect it to happen fast. But not cinematic fast.
• Understand the legal aftermath matters just as much as the trigger press.
• And don’t assume it’ll be a stranger.

Preparation isn’t paranoia. It’s responsibility.

What’s your take? Does your training reflect these realities? Or are you still planning for a 3-foot quick-draw duel?

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