To be honest, at around 2008 - 2009, that rule became completely outdated because player killing had drastically changed; the expectation of suicide after you run of food is mindbogglingly till this day. A lot of the clan leaders who enforced that rule, never actually player killed outside of wilderness trips with the clan; or couldn't afford to use the newer expensive items that were starting to come out.
Imagine using an AGS in the wilderness, and having to suicide with it when you are out of food/prayer restores; keep in mind an AGS back then was equivalent to T-Bow nowadays. 🙂