Contents:

Poslec Update

Poslec have advised us that they are doing data capturing for certificates and that at any one time they have approximately 2,500 forms to deal with. The process is taking about 3-4 weeks at present and they have employed three extra staff members to assist with this.
Problems they are experiencing includes: forms not completed properly by the training provider, handwriting on the forms is not legible, payments must be by direct deposit, etc. These and other isues all delay the processing of the certificates - ensure your training provider knows what is required.

Theta Seta Announcement

It was announced on 1 September 2004 that Theta Seta (Tourism, Hospitality and Sport) are responsible for the hunting and sport shooting unit standards.
SAGA has contacted them for an update and will put up information as it becomes available.
Contact Theta Seta on telephone (011) 803-6010 or fax (011) 803-6702 or their call centre on 0860 100221 or website at www.theta.org.za

General overview of the current country wide workshops held by Poslec Seta and SAPS

Information Workshop for Training Providers
Feedback on Durban Meeting - 22 January 2004

1. Slide Presentation by Senior Superintendent Lekgotla from the Central Firearms Register
A brief overview of the present situation with the FCA was given. The submissions made on the latest draft regulations are now being assessed and it is still not clear when the process will be complete. Once processed these will be put before the Portfolio Committee on Safety & Security for further action.
Work sessions are being held with DFOs (designated firearms officers) around the country to keep them informed about developments with the new Act.
The need to complete all applications as fully as possible was stressed.
Training Providers doing firearms training need to be accredited as soon as possible first by Poslec Seta and then by the SAPS.

2. Slide Presentation by Hennie Richards from Poslec Seta
Poslec Seta deals with Policing, Correctional Services, Justice, Legal Services, and the Private Security Industry.
Unit Standards have been established for firearms training.
Under the new FCA, firearm instructors who wish to provide firearms training i.e. be a Training Provider, need to be accredited first with Poslec Seta and then with the SAPS.
Poslec Seta aims to be a “user-friendly” Seta and as such have designed new colour-coded application forms with instruction booklets to assist trainers with their accreditation. Forms will be available in February 2004 and can be obtained from Poslec Seta.

Levels of Accreditation

1. Full Accreditation:                Meets all criteria
                                               Is accredited for five years.
2. Provisional Accreditation:    Meets all provisional criteria
                                               Develops a plan for meeting the remaining criteria
                                               Is accredited for maximum duration of one year
3. Approval of Learning Programmes: Applies to providers seeking accreditation with other ETQAs
                                                           e.g. field guides, etc
                                                           (Can be more than one Seta involved – go to primary focus Seta)
                                                           Courses that are not yet Unit Standard based can be approved until
                                                           Unit Standards become available.

A Training Provider is a person or business that offers courses based on all or part of a qualification and is accredited with their relevant Seta.
A training provider can employ instructors to teach the relevant material.
Training manuals for firearms instruction must be based on Outcomes Based Education.
Firearms instruction can only take place on an accredited shooting range.

Firearms Instruction:

• The Learner registers with an accredited Training Provider
• Training is provided to the Learner by a Firearms Instructor (Practical and theoretical training plus Recognition of Prior Learning - RPL)
• The learner’s knowledge is then assessed by an accredited Assessor
• The training provider will then submit the details of the learner and their training results to Poslec Seta
• Poslec Seta will then issue a Proficiency Certificate to the trainer or direct to the learner
• The leaner will submit a copy of the Proficiency Certificate with their firearm licence application/renewal
• The CFR will then consider all the documentation and if considered fit, the applicant will be granted a Competency Certificate and the firearm licence/renewal will be issued.

Firearms Trainers can also be accredited as Assessors but this is not a requirement.
Firearms Trainers who are not accredited Assessors must establish formal links with an accredited Assessor.
Accredited Assessors are not required to be trainers.

To become an accredited Training Provider the following criteria are required:

• Financial administration and Physical resources
• QMS = Quality Management Systems
• Learning Programme Provision
• Learner Guidance, Entry and Development
• Management of Assessment
• Staff selection, appraisal and development
• Marketing
• Occupational Health and Safety

Charges for firearms training are not fixed and will be determined by the market.
A list of accredited Training Providers is available from Poslec Seta and will soon be available on their website.

Shooting Range Accreditation
Legislation for the accreditation of shooting ranges is not yet final. The SABS standards have been set and are available from SABS. (Link to PDF file 790K)
Shooting range owners must apply to the SABS for certification and they will be issued with a registration number. For the moment this registration number is sufficient for Poslec Seta and the SAPS. Inspections to ranges that do not meet the required specifications will result in their deregistration.

Unit Standards for training have not yet been established for the following:
Occasional Hunters
Dedicated Hunters
Occasional Sports Shooters
Dedicated Sports Shooters
Gunsmiths

May 2004 - Poslec Seta has established task teams to work on these unit standards.

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This is an example of the Handgun Unit Standards which may be accessed from the links at the top of the page

Taken from: www.saqa.org.za on 4 Dec 2003
 

UNIT STANDARD

Title:  Use of a handgun
ID:  10748
NQF Level:  Level 4
Subfield:  Safety in Society
SGB:  SGB Security
NSB:  Law, Military Science and Security
Credits:  10
Provider: 
 

All qualifications and unit standards registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. 

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Use of a handgun

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 

This unit standard is for relevant persons to competently carry, handle, shoot and maintain a handgun through the application of knowledge of the relevant legislation and skills in the safe and responsible handling of a handgun.

 This unit standard includes the requirements to gain the appropriate licence for the possession and/or carrying of handguns both private and for business purposes.

 Benefit for society of this unit standard is that the person who completes this will contribute to safety in society.

 A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:

• Understand the relevant legislation required for the lawful possession and use of a handgun
• Handle a handgun safely
• Operate, use and maintain a handgun
• Shoot a handgun competently.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE 

The following knowledge, skills, attitude and/or equivalent:

• A knowledge, comprehension and application of language at NQF 03.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 

This unit standard applies to persons competently carrying, handling, shooting and maintaining a handgun. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Apply knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation required. 

OUTCOME NOTES 

Apply knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation required for the lawful possession and use of a handgun. 

OUTCOME RANGE 

The types of relevant legislation should include:

• Applicable sections of the Firearms Control Act 60/2000.
• Applicable section of the Criminal Procedures Act, 1977.
• Applicable section of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, 1993.
• Applicable sections of the Dangerous Weapons Act.
• Applicable sections of the SIRA Act 56/2001.
• Applicable sections of specific Acts relevant to unique job/workplace environments
• Private defence
• Moral & humanitarian considerations (proportionality)
• Continuum of force
• Vicarious liability
• Civil liability

 Handgun should include:

• Semi automatic pistol and revolver

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

1. The application of knowledge and understanding on the possession of a handgun is demonstrated in accordance with relevant legislation.   

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

2. The application of knowledge and understanding on the use of a handgun is demonstrated in accordance with relevant legislation. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

3. The requirements for possession of a handgun is demonstrated in accordance with relevant legislation. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

4. The requirements for the use of a handgun is demonstrated in accordance with relevant legislation. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 

5. Handgun and ammunition is kept according to operational procedures and legal requirements for safekeeping of firearms and ammunition. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Handle handguns safely. 

OUTCOME RANGE 

Standard safe handling procedures should include:

• Safe handling rules & Safety procedures/drills.
• Loading & unloading
• Handgun retention

 Appropriate operational, specific tactical manner and in holsters should include:

• Types of holsters.
• Company policy/operational procedures
• Handgun conditions of readiness
• Handgun holster use
• Handgun carry methods

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of safe handling of handguns in accordance with standard safe handling procedures. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

2. Safety of self and others ensured by handling and/or carrying handguns in appropriate operational, handgun specific tactical manner and in holsters that comply with legal requirements. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

3. Safety of self and others ensured through proper retention of handgun in accordance with standard safe handling procedures. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

4. Ammunition carried is appropriate to handgun being handled and manufacturers specifications. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Operate, use and maintain handguns. 

OUTCOME RANGE 

Operated safely must include:

• Range safety
• Personal safety
• Public safety

 Threat identification & analysis must include:

• Conditions of readiness
• Mental conditions
• Mindset
• Immediate surroundings
• Alertness
• Stress awareness
• Pre-emption & pre-visualisation

 Manufacturers guidelines/operational procedures must include:

• Specific handgun (manufacturers) operating manual
• Names, parts & function of handgun
• Basic internal, external and terminal ballistics
• Components and functioning of handgun ammunition
• Disassembling and assembling of handgun
• Charge & emptying of magazine/cylinder
• Loading & unloading (range & operational)

 Maintenance must include:

• Cleaning of handgun
• Cleaning equipment
• Care of handgun
• Care of ammunition

 Visible faults must include:

• Fail to feed
• Fail to chamber
• Fail to fire
• Fail to extract
• Fail to eject
• Fail to cycle

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

1. Handguns operated and used safely according to manufacturers guidelines, operational procedures and prevailing legislation. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

2. Handgun used with specific attention to threat identification & analysis. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

3. Safety of handgun and/or ammunition ensured by checking the handgun, ammunition and equipment on receipt and return to ensure they are in a safe and serviceable condition. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

4. Demonstrate and apply maintenance procedures according to manufacturers specifications and safety procedures. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 

5. Visible faults identified and action taken according to operational procedures and prevailing legal requirements. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 

6. Handgun and ammunition received, kept and issued in a clean and serviceable condition. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 

7. Handguns and ammunition not in use transported & stored in a manner as required by prevailing legislation and employer requirements. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Shoot handgun competently. 

OUTCOME RANGE 

Malfunctions and immediate action drills must include:

• Firearm misfires
• Abuse
• Mechanical malfunction
• User malfunction
• Clearing of malfunction (range & operational)

 Accurately must include:

• Accurate up to a minimum of 10 meters distance using all stances and light conditions.

 Shooting range procedures must include:

• Range rules & safety
• Range commands
• Safety equipment

 Handgun fired competently must include:

• Shooting fundamentals
• Fault analysis
• Low light shooting
• Cover (barricades) & concealment

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 

1. Handgun fired competently and accurately in accordance with current legal, operational and shooting range procedures. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 

2. Handgun fired competently and accurately during low light situations, in accordance with current legal, operational and shooting range procedures. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 

3. Handgun fired competently and accurately in accordance with current legal, operational and shooting range procedures whilst making use of a barricade/cover. 

 ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 

4. Malfunction and immediate action drills identified and corrected in accordance with standard safety procedures and in line with operational conditions. 

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 

1. Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the POSLEC SETA ETQA/and any other body with whom a MOU was entered into.

 2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the POSLEC SETA ETQA by SAQA/and any other body with whom a MOU was entered into.

 3. The POSLEC SETA ETQA/and any other body with whom a MOU was entered into will oversee assessment and moderation of assessment according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant competency and the POSLEC SETA ETQA/ and any other body with whom a MOU was entered into. 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 

Refer to the Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria and the Range of variables contained in this unit standard and specifically to:

• A comprehensive understanding of the relevant legislation, licensing requirements and procedures and practices.
• A comprehensive understanding of discretion in the use of firearms
• A comprehensive understanding of the operation & mechanics of handguns
• A broad understanding of ammunition and ballistics
• A broad understanding of shooting range procedures
• A comprehensive understanding of Guidelines for the safe use and handling of handguns
• A comprehensive understanding of Fundamentals of shooting a handgun.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
Identify and solve problems related to the achievement of relevant legislative competencies. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANIZING 
Organise oneself and one`s activities so that all requirements are met in achieving competence in lawfully possessing and using a handgun.   

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information related to the relevant legislation so that these are accurately interpreted into application performance standards. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
Understand the world as a set of related systems in that legislative requirements are interrelated with the overall safe and lawful possession and use of a handgun. 

UNIT STANDARD NOTES 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

SPECIFIED REQUIREMENTS:

Specified requirements include legal and legislative specific requirements and are:

 LEGAL

• Applicable sections of the Firearms Control Act 60/2000.
• Applicable section of the Criminal Procedures Act, 1977.
• Applicable section of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, 1993.
• Applicable sections of the Dangerous Weapons Act.
• Applicable sections of the SIRA Act 56/2001.
• Applicable sections of specific Acts relevant to unique job/workplace environments
• Private defence
• Moral & humanitarian considerations (proportionality)
• Constitution
• Continuum of force
• Vicarious liability
• Civil liability

 CONTEXT SPECIFIC

• Training provider user manuals
• Specifications, company operational agreements and policies and procedures

 Resources required for Assessment

• Relevant shooting range.
• Shooting exercise order.
• Tools, equipment and materials for range set up.
• Drill rounds and replica firearms
• Relevant handguns, magazines/speed loaders and ammunition.
• Holsters and magazine/speed loader pouches.
• Firearm cleaning equipment
• Safety equipment and protective uniform/clothes
• Communications equipment.
• Necessary administrative and stationary issue.
• First aid/fire fighting equipment.
• Criterion referenced assessment instructions/tools.
• Relevant shooting range standing orders.
• A suitable venue: either in the workplace or classroom.

SPECIAL NOTES WITH REFERENCE TO LEARNING HOURS REQUIRED WHEN LEARNING TOWARDS A COMBINATION OF UNIT STANDARDS:

 Should a learner attempt the unit standard: Use of a handgun in combination with the three other unit standards namely, use of a shotgun/hand machine carbine/rifle the total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcomes of all four standards (in combination) would be: 190 hours. The rational for shortening the total learning hours by more than half is that similar knowledge and skills are present in some of the specific outcomes and assessment criteria.

 Such similarities is evident in outcomes such as the application of knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation required for the lawful possession and use of a shotgun/handgun/hand machine carbine/rifle and in the assessment criteria: demonstrate and apply knowledge of safe handling of a shotgun/handgun/hand machine carbine/rifle in accordance with standard safe handling procedures of specific outcome: handle handguns safely.

Finally, the learning hours required, combination should be as follows:

Learning towards first unit standard: 100 notional training hours.
Additional learning towards any one of the three remaining unit standards: 30 notional training hours.
 

Example:

First unit:
Unit Standard No. 10748: Use of a handgun. 100 notional training hours.

 Combined with:
Unit Standard No. 10754: Use of a shotgun. 30 notional training hours and/or;
Unit Standard No. 10756: Use of a hand machine carbine. 30 notional training hours and/or;
Unit Standard No. 10750: Use of a rifle. 30 notional training hours.  

When standards are attempted as a combination total notional training hours required for all four standards should be 190 notional training hours.

to start of Handgun Unit Standard

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