Understanding firearms
Common firearm types and their differences, basic function and controls, ammunition, and recognising whether a weapon may present an immediate risk.
FIRST ยท Specialist security awareness
Firearm Incident Recognition & Safety Training
Practical, scenario-based training from AX Risk & Advisory for situations where firearms unexpectedly become part of an incident.
Understanding an unfamiliar situation
Most people will never routinely handle or work around firearms. An unexpected encounter can therefore create uncertainty at a moment when clear thinking matters.
FIRST (Firearm Incident Recognition & Safety Training) is an enhanced security awareness programme designed to improve understanding, judgement and decision-making in those circumstances.
Participants can learn about firearms, handle appropriate training weapons and ask questions in a calm, controlled environment. The objective is simple: better understanding leads to better decisions.
Course content
What FIRST covers
Safe-handling awareness
Fundamental safe-handling principles, muzzle awareness, safe direction and common handling errors, explored with appropriate training weapons under instruction.
Decisions about unfamiliar weapons
Recognising when a found or unfamiliar firearm should be left alone, and considering the risks and consequences before deciding whether any intervention is necessary.
An unfolding incident
Decision-making where there may be no ideal option, the implications of picking up or moving a weapon, and awareness of how actions may be perceived when armed responders arrive.
Practical, conversational learning
FIRST gives participants time to stop, ask questions and understand the reasoning behind decisions. The training is deliberately calm.
Participants handle appropriate training weapons in a controlled environment. Instructor-led demonstrations and discussion help make the subject understandable beyond slides and photographs.
Practical elements can include recognising firearm types and controls, identifying potentially unsafe conditions, and understanding handling errors. Instructors can cover the safe pickup and placement of training weapons and decisions about an unfamiliar weapon.
Scenario exercises are followed by practical debriefs. The aim is to understand a problem before ever having to face it for real, rather than manufacture pressure.
Scenario-based decisions
Simple, controlled scenarios give participants a decision to consider and space to discuss its consequences.
Situations may include discovering an unattended firearm, finding a weapon after an incident, or considering whether leaving it in place creates another risk.
Participants consider whether intervention is necessary, when the safest action is to leave a weapon alone, and what may happen when armed responders arrive.
Each exercise explores the circumstances that influenced the decision and why a particular response may or may not have been appropriate.
Participants
Who FIRST is for
FIRST is designed for organisations seeking deeper practical security awareness and decision-making experience for selected personnel.
- Corporate security and risk teams
- Executive and leadership support personnel
- Family offices and private household teams
- Organisations with travelling personnel
- Media and production teams
- Hospitality and hotel groups
- Personnel operating internationally
- Teams working around high-profile individuals, sensitive locations or elevated security risks
Learning outcomes
What participants should take away
- A practical understanding of common firearm types and their basic function
- Improved awareness of safe-handling principles and unfamiliar-weapon risks
- Better judgement about when a weapon should or should not be touched
- A clearer understanding of the consequences of picking up or moving a firearm
- Awareness of how actions may be perceived by armed responders
- Experience of discussing difficult decisions in a safe, controlled environment
Delivered by AX Risk & Advisory
FIRST draws on AXRA's operational experience across security advisory, close protection, risk assessment, international operations and firearms-related environments.
Training can take place in suitable offices, gyms, training rooms and other controlled environments. It does not require a dedicated firearms facility.
Meet the AXRA team or explore our corporate security services.
Enquire about FIRST
Tell us about your organisation, the personnel you have in mind and your proposed location. We can discuss suitability and delivery arrangements.
FIRST training enquiries
Initial enquiries are handled by a director and carry no obligation.