Posted: 8/7/2008 2:17:58 PM EDT
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I was reading the "carrying a round in the chamber" thread and it got me thinking about security guards. I live in an area in which most homes are in a gated or at least a private community. Only two of these communities that I know of have armed security guards. One of these communities is quite large, has a large security force that carries all the equipment a police officer would carry: gun, radio, flashlight, smare mags, etc... IIRC they carry full-size Glocks there. From what I've seen they seem pretty professional. I occasionally have to go on service calls the the other community, this one is large as well but very few people actually live there. The thing that strikes me as a little strange is that all the guards open carry a small frame revolver (looks to be a Taurus or S+W) with nothing else on their belt.  I'm not saying theres anything wrong with small frame revolvers but, it just seemed odd to me that a 5-shot revolver would be their choice for open carry. Is it just for show, if so, why not something bigger? I believe they are issued b/c every guard I've seen carries the exact same thing. (I know I'm being judgemental but, the guards at this place don't seem...well...they just seem out of place with a firearm, I just don't get the confident/competent vibe from them  )So, here are my questions for those of you that do/have done armed security. 1) what were the requirements for getting your job? 2) what do you carry, is it issued or personally owned? 3) is any type of firearms training provided or required by your employer? 4) are you required to qualify in any way with your firearm? thanks in advance  |
1 previous experiance, military, law enforcement, corrections, in an armed position where you interacted with public. 2 depends on wheather it is company security or contract security for the company in ether case it depends alot on what the company footing the bills is wants. specifies to its own people or in the contract with the security contractor. In some cases with contracts, unless the contracting company issues weapons it may be the responsibility of the gaurd to provide their weapons. In some states calibers are limited by state laws for private contractors also. My last job I carried a glock 22 .40S&W. 3 yes, and annual qualifications & I was the instructor 4 yes and annual qualification. |
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1. My employer didn't require much. Everybody works unarmed for a while until they can see how responsible you are and handle situations. They prefer prior security exp or LE 2. Our employer allows employees to carry what ever they want as long as it meets the police commissioners requirements. Mostly HKs and Glocks, things like that. 3. Training is provided by employer but we must qualify at the local PD range under a PD instructor. When you pass you receive an armed security commission. 4. see #3. |
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It depends on the state and their licensing and training requirments. It also depends on company policy, what their insurance company makes them use for whatever stupid reason, and often client wishes. Washington requires a company owned or leased firearm. Washington DC only allows (or did) a .38 revolver. Virginia allowed anything as well, even if personally owned. Some companies for insurance, or just plain cost reasons only issue ball ammo, or restrict their employees to only using ball ammo. 1. Clean record, and able to pass some simple training (state mandated). 2. Lotsa Glocks with my company. 3. Provided by my company (they also do firearms training classes), and they require one of their level one pistol classes for all armed guards. They also require a higher score than the state requires. 4. Annual qualifications. |
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thanks for the responses so far i've definitely learned a thing or two The difference between the armed security at the two places i mentioned really stood out to me. There's just something odd about the second place I mentioned in my original post, I can't quite put my finger on it. |
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As mentioned every state and company will be different. I know every major armored car company around here carrys 38 revolvers. I asked an armored car guy one time why they all carry revolvers. He said its so they can shoot through the small firing ports that are built into the armored cars......makes sence to me. They are little 2inch by 2inch holes with a metal cover on a hinge, so shooting a semi would be difficult. I forgot to mention that most states probably require anual qualifying with a pistol to be armed. The commisioners also run a background check when you go in for licensing. they also require a short written test. Its about 20 questions and covers the dutys of private security and what you power is limited to. |
1. The employees of the company I work for are ALL members of my MP unit, there are no exceptions. (This is moonlight work) 2. Glock 22 .40 S&W, Personally owned. 3. The state requires a 2 year re-certification course for firearms and by a state license facility. 4. The state requires re-qualification shoots every 6 months with all weapon classifications listed on the open carry permit. 4 (a) The permit only authorizes the carrying of the specified weapons OPENLY, requiring uniform to be worn when doing so consisting of at least a shirt or jacket with shoulder patches designating agency/company name, a badge affixed in a plainly conspicuous location on the body, numbered as to identify the person wearing it along with the agency name. Weapons may only be carried enroute to work, while on duty, and enroute home from work. Otherwise, nothing special. The training curriculum that the state requires is an absolute joke IMHO. |