Safe administrative unloading of a firearm handgun semiautomatic pistol for police, military, law enforcement and security officers

Using the Safecity firearm unloading station

The Designated Safety Officer (DSO) directs the officer to carry out an Administrative Unload using the station	Making sure you face a safe direction, remove the magazine from the firearm. Try to do this without looking at the firearm to reinforce your tactical skills	Place the magazine on the table.  The DSO removes the magazine from the table.	Facing a safe direction adopt the "ready" position.  45 degrees, finger off trigger, be muzzle conscious.
Insert the barrel into the firearm unloading station.  Grip  the slide firmly.	Rack the slide back briskly ONCE. Lock the slide back.  The round is ejected and falls into the catch bag See note on malfunction below.	Place the firearm on the table. Reinforce safe firearms handling by being muzzle conscious at all times	Both you and the DSO check the magazine well, and firearm. Check for safety, dirt and signs of wear and tear.
MALFUNCTION: In  the unlikely event that the round fails to eject, DO NOT RACK the slide a second time.  If the ammunition casing is deformed, it can damage the pistol extraction system. With some firearms, racking the firearm several times can cause an unintentional discharge. Racking the firearm repeatedly will also  mask problems that require urgent gunsmith attention.  Your firearm and ammunition must be in top condition, serviced and ready to fire in case of a defensive shooting incident. A firearm that has failed to extract on the first occasion must be serviced by a gunsmith.  You would not drive an unsafe patrol car.  Yet many officers are willing to use stale,  poor quality ammunition, and carry firearms that have not been serviced and therefore likely to malfunction.  NEVER re-issue or accept  a firearm that has malfunctioned until it has been serviced by a gunsmith.
Both you and the DSO Check the chamber, trigger assembly, slide and firing pin. Check for safety, dirt and signs of wear and tear. DSO should check the serial number of the firearm.	Reinforce safety by checking the chamber visually and physically. Remove the firearm and lock it in a police approved storage device.	Unload the magazine.  Count the ammunition The magazine should eject the rounds without fail. If a failure occurs, replace the magazine immediately.  Have the magazine inspected by a qualified armourer or gunsmith.  NEVER use a magazine that has malfunctioned until it has been inspected and cleared. If in doubt THROW IT OUT	Check each round closely. Inspect for cracks, deformation and dirt Inspect the primer and the case.  They must be free of defects. Check for loose or deformed projectiles. If a round drops on the ground, replace it.  You may not see the damage visually, but even a small deformity can cause the firearm extraction mechanism to malfunction. Store the ammunition separately from the firearm in a police approved container.
Check the magazine for cleanliness and signs of wear and tear. The spring should be firm and the feeding mechanism smooth. The magazine should not be deformed. If you drop the magazine have it inspected before using it again. To replace a new magazine it costs $70.  It is not possible to replace your life.		The Designated Safety Officer signs  the firearms register

The most common cause of malfunctions in semiautomatic pistols is poor quality ammunition and lack of service.

The most common cause of fatalities among police officers and security guards is unfamiliarity with the semiautomatic pistol and lack of safety awareness. 

Complacency, lack of tactical training and unfamiliarity with the sidearm make tragic partners when it comes to defensive shootings.

Carrying out this administrative load and monthly firearm practise at a police approved range with a qualified Safecity Instructor will help your officers maintain a high degree of tactical readiness, superior communication and observation skills, cognitive defensive skills and increased firearms safety awareness.

Competency in the use of the firearm is only 1 of the 12 fundamental skills that must be found in a qualified Defensive Tactics Firearms Instructor. 

Certificate IV in Security Industry Firearms Instructor

Safecity's nationally recognised Certificate IV in Security Industry Firearms Instructor, designed for law enforcement instructors, promotes a high degree of competency in firearms instructors and law enforcement officers in the safe handling of firearms.   It also helps officers achieve competency in the underpinning skills of adult education.

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