Regulation 79 Firearms Refresher Training

For security officers in armed roles at critical infrastructure, carrying a firearm is a serious legal responsibility. Regulation 79 recurrent firearms training exists to ensure that those who carry remain competent, lawful and safe — not just on the day they qualified, but for as long as they are deployed.

Why Recurrent Training Matters

Firearm competency degrades without practice. Recurrent training maintains marksmanship, reinforces safe handling, and — most importantly — keeps judgment sharp. The hardest part of armed security is not shooting; it is knowing when not to.

Legal Framework and Use of Force

Every armed officer must understand the legal framework governing use of force: the principles of necessity, proportionality and reasonableness. Training should drill the decision-making, not only the trigger pull — because an unlawful discharge carries criminal and civil consequences for the officer and the employer.

• Safe handling — the universal firearm safety rules, applied under stress.
• Storage and control — secure storage, issue and return procedures, and accountability.
• Live-fire judgment drills — scenario-based shoot/no-shoot decision-making.
• Business-purpose compliance — the firearm is held for a defined business purpose with the correct endorsements.

The objective of Regulation 79 training is a competent, lawful, accountable armed officer — never simply a qualified shooter.

Business-Purpose Endorsements

For armed deployment, officers need valid competency and business-purpose endorsements appropriate to the role. Training and assessment confirm that these are in place and current, protecting both the individual and the operator from compliance exposure.

The Non-Firearms Alternative

Not every critical-infrastructure role requires a firearm. Where firearms are excluded, a non-shooting NKP/CIP programme delivers the full security competency set without the firearms component — a sensible, lower-risk option for many sites.

Aligning to SAQA Standards

Recurrent firearms training should align to applicable SAQA firearms unit standards and be delivered by registered firearms instructors. That alignment ensures the training is recognised and the records are audit-ready.