[New] TACTICAL FIREARMS

Tactical Applications for Close Protection and Armed Security

It’s another sad fact that the majority of close protection firearms instructors have limited, if any experience working in the armed close protection industry. This is why most of what people are being taught on close protection firearms courses is at best, competition shooting techniques and scenarios.

Competition shooting sports can teach good skills, but most forget that being in a safe controlled shooting range is a lot different than being on the streets or in a hostile environment. There are many firearms instructors who’s only experience of using a firearm is on a shooting range and they have never actually carried firearms for personal defense or worked in any armed capabilities, but they are teaching defensive and tactical courses… Basic rule, always verify the real-world experience of your instructors, and don’t be fooled by a bunch of pretty certificates!

Supposed tactical training drills where the shooters or students are doing nothing but standing static and doing weapons reloads or transitioning from rifle to pistol etc. might be fun and look cool, especially if the shooters are dressed up in tactical helmets and plate carriers but are in reality completely stupid unless being taught at a novice or introductory level. Training is about building up good habits, instinctive reactions, and muscle memory… A very basic tactical rule is that you do not stand fucking static in the fucking open and change magazines, you move to fucking cover! Serious training is about building good habits from the start.

Such drills being promoted as highspeed tacticool shit are nothing more than entertainment…

I have heard too many people say that if you must shoot past 50 meters then you should use a carbine. Well, sure, if you have one and can legally carry it then why not… The trouble is in most places they are only available to military or police personnel to use while on duty. Even in most U.S. states carbines are not approved to be carried for private armed security or close protection duties. So, your primary firearm will be a pistol and you should be able to shoot it accurately at close, medium, and long distances.

Now, if you’re serious about working in the armed close protection or security business you should understand a little bit about tactics and how to apply accurate suppressing fire, I talk about this in my article on “Pistol as a Primary Weapon”. A lot of what I am covering briefly here is covered in detail in my three books on close protection that are available on Amazon and listed at the bottom of this article.

Close Protection Scenarios

It’s a fact that most armed incidents that happen with handguns take place at close quarters, usually at ranges well under 7 meters. For most armed civilians and police being able to shoot accurately within 7 to 10 meters is all they will ever need to train for. But there are circumstances where they may need to be able to shoot accurately at longer distances. One recent example is where an armed citizen, Eli Dicken, engaged and stopped an active shooter at a range of 40 yards and hit with 8 of the 10 rounds that he fired.

If you are working in the armed close protection industry you should be training to a standard that is beyond the required standard for armed security guards and cops. You are being hired to protect people lives in potentially hostile situations, and not just to dress up, look cool and hang out with VIP’s!

Here I am listing some scenarios where it would possibly be applicable for close protection personnel to be able to shoot at 100 meters or more with a pistol. The fact I am having to write this in response to many questions says a lot about the standards of those in the industry and what they are being taught on supposed close protection courses by supposed close protection instructors. Please note these are quick examples to make you think, in reality there are that many variables to situations that it would be impossible to cover them all in a short article if at all!

Close Protection Pistol Drill (CPPD)

Conferences & Events

I have been in many conference rooms and event venues that are more than 100 meters in length. Now, for example, your client is on stage giving a speech and a known stalker or active shooter enters the conference room and starts shooing at your client from a distance of 100 meters, what will you do? Your reaction will depend on several variables. 1. Are you working alone? 2. What’s the distance is between you and your client?

Tactics if you’re working alone vary from if you’re working with others. Most people who have gone through basic close protection training will say their reaction should be to get to and move the client to safety, which if doable is a perfect reaction. Trouble is the world is not perfect. What if the client can not move, is injured, panicking, old, disabled, over weight etc. etc.

If you are working by yourself, it can be quicker and safer for both you and your client to take out the threat quickly and efficiently rather than trying to evacuate the client. This applies to all distances. While focusing on evacuating the client you are venerable. SOP’s can be