The urban guerrilla exists, acts, and survives by shooting. Shooting is a must considering the nature of the urban guerrilla's role.

Conventional battles are fought at great distances, with long-range weapons. In unconventional combat, the firing takes place at close range, often very close. This is the arena of the urban guerrilla. The urban guerrilla survives by shooting first, and with the greatest accuracy. He cannot waste ammunition, for he seldom carries more than a few rounds in reserve. Nor can he borrow ammunition from his comrades, for each man carries only enough to meet his own needs. Similarly, the urban guerrilla must end a firefight quickly, and waste no time.

A key point, one we want to emphasize fully and cannot repeat too often, is that the urban guerrilla must not fire continuously so that he uses up his ammunition. The enemy learns not to return fire so that he can counterattack once the urban guerrilla has expended his ammunition. Urban guerrillas caught in this trap run out of ammunition. They face a rain of enemy fire. Most are killed or captured.

Surprise frequently results in conditions where it is not necessary for the urban guerrilla to resort to firing his weapon, Still he cannot be allowed the luxury of ignorance in the use of his weapon. When in a firefight with the enemy, he must be continuously on the move, taking one position, then another, because to remain in one position makes him a sitting target, and hence extremely vulnerable.

The life of the urban guerrilla depends on shooting and his ability to use weapons. In this way he minimizes the risk of becoming a casualty. When we speak of shooting, we speak as well of marksmanship. Shooting must be practiced until it becomes second nature to the urban guerrilla. The urban guerrilla must train himself continuously so as to be able to shoot fast and accurately. He must avail himself of every opportunity to practice, firing at targets even in amusement parks and at home.

Shooting and marksmanship are the urban guerrilla's water and air. Those who perfect their firing art become snipers, for which the urban guerrilla has a special need. The sniper is an expert at both close and long range firing, and he should be provided with adequate weapons to carry out his mission.