The firearms and security industry in South Africa has evolved significantly over the past few decades, driven by increasing security threats and the need for better training, regulation, and firearm maintenance. In an exclusive interview, a seasoned firearms expert Andy Fuller, sat down with ProtectionWeb to share his insights into the challenges of firearm maintenance, industry trends, and the urgent need for improved security training.

With decades of experience in firearms maintenance, gunsmithing, and training, Fuller began his journey, rising from the South African Defence Force (SADF) to becoming one of the country’s leading voices on firearms serviceability and training.

Starting in the Inspectorate of Naval Ordnance, Fuller was responsible for checking and maintaining firearms across different military arsenals. After leaving the Defence Force in 1989, he established Fuller Firearms, a company focused on firearm servicing and repairs. His expertise soon attracted private security companies, national key points, banks, and cash-in-transit (CIT) companies, leading to a countrywide operation servicing firearms from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town and Mthatha.

Reflecting on the early days of firearm management in private security, Fuller noted that the industry initially prioritised cost over quality, often purchasing cheap, unreliable firearms prone to frequent malfunctions.

“When we started, it was very dismal. The security industry doesn’t want to spend lots of money on firearms. So, they would buy the cheapest, and of course, they give you the most problems,” he explained.

Convincing companies to invest in higher-quality firearms took years, as many were reluctant to spend more upfront. Today, while some companies still use outdated revolvers, most have recognised the necessity of modern, high-powered weapons, particularly in CIT operations, where criminals are often armed with AK-47s and other assault rifles.

“You can’t fight a CIT heist with a .38 Special revolver. If you don’t shoot back, you’re a sitting duck,” Fuller said. This shift in mindset has lead to the adoption of self-loading rifles and shotguns to counter armed attacks.

Fuller believes a firearm is only as effective as the person handling it, which is why firearms training has become a critical aspect of security operations. Fuller, who has been a firearms instructor since 1998, emphasises the need for proper training and firearm selection.

“In our country, some security companies have far better-trained CIT officers than others. If you look carefully, those with rigorous training programs experience fewer heists. It’s not just about the firearms, it’s about the training behind them,” he explained.

Security officers who are well-trained are not only more effective in responding to threats, but also less likely to lose their weapons to criminals, says Fuller.

The loss of firearms remains a significant issue for both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security firms. In the 2023/24 financial year, a total of 1 648 firearms were reported as either lost or stolen by security companies. This number continues to rise, with 847 firearms reported lost or stolen in the first half of the 2024/25 financial year.

“The difference between SAPS and CIT companies is that CIT firearms are lost in actual heists. Criminals take the firearms off officers after an attack, while SAPS often lose theirs due to poor firearm management,” noted Fuller.

He pointed out that private security firms generally have stricter firearm control protocols than SAPS, ensuring that their armouries are well-managed. However, once officers are on the road, it becomes difficult to prevent losses if an attack occurs.

One of the biggest challenges in firearm management is ensuring weapons are properly maintained and serviced. To address this, Fuller and the International Firearms Training Academy (ITA) developed new training courses for firearm custodians and maintenance fitters, allowing companies to keep weapons operational without excessive reliance on gunsmiths.

“It’s very easy to say, ‘let’s send the gun to the gunsmith,’ but that means someone is now unarmed. CIT companies aren’t allowed to keep spare firearms, which is ridiculous. So, we created a system where minor repairs and maintenance can be done in-house,” he explained. This approach ensures that firearms remain operational, and officers are never left without their primary weapons.

When asked about SAPS firearm maintenance, Fuller was blunt:

“SAPS doesn’t want to work with us. We offered maintenance programs to Correctional Services, and they improved their firearm upkeep significantly. SAPS, on the other hand, refuses to engage. They need proper maintenance strategies, but the system is failing them.”

The situation in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is also concerning. Many of the R4 and R5 rifles in service are over 40 years old.

“The last R4 production line shut down in 2000. It’s time for new firearms. Some companies, like Dave Sheer Guns (DM4 rifles), are stepping up, but the industry is struggling,” he said.

While international manufacturers like Czech based CZ have had their Bren 2 adopted by Special Forces, SAPS and SANDF need a broader strategy for modernising their arsenal.

“The firearm industry in South Africa is haemorrhaging. We have talent and expertise, but a lack of government support, high costs, and a broken procurement system are holding us back,” stated Fuller.

He further stated that stricter oversight, better training, and improved firearm regulations will be essential for strengthening South Africa’s security industry.

“The biggest issue is that security officers aren’t treated well. There’s always a line of thousands of unemployed people waiting for jobs, so companies don’t invest in their people. That’s a major problem.

“You have guards carrying firearms who barely pass basic shooting tests. Better supervision, firearm control, and training are essential if we want to make South Africa safer,” he emphasised.

Looking ahead, new firearm training and gunsmithing courses are being developed to address skills shortages and create more job opportunities in the industry.

“We need young blood in this industry. Gunsmithing is a dying trade, and we’re working on getting certified training programs set up at multiple learning centres across South Africa.

“We have four gunsmithing centres in the entire country. That’s not enough. If we want to ensure firearms are properly maintained, we need to train the next generation of experts,” said Fuller.