To Arm or Not to Arm, That is the Question

(Whether to arm or unarm uniform security officers is an age old question- one that has developed into quite a controversial issue.)

Security Officers are either armed or unarmed, depending on an individual client’s wishes. Certain clients insist an officer be armed while others demand, by company policy, that no firearms be allowed on the premises either by employees or the security staff.

The industry trend is leaning in the direction of unarmed security officers. However, when officers do carry firearms it is often due to the objects that are being protected, the geographic location, or the demographics of the community.   In certain parts of the country, armed officers are a customer rather than a necessity, while other sections of the country trend to differ in   policy.

Deciding whether security officers should care firearms requires a great deal of study and research. In evaluating the necessity of arming security officers, certain considerations must be addressed. First and foremost is the protection of life. Next comes the potential threat level of the facility to be protected.

The facility threat level must be analyzed. Factors such as the nature of the business, assets requiring protection, number of employees, hours of operation and, as mentioned, the geographic and demographic location, must all be considered. Then, after a through evaluation of the facility is completed, an intelligent decision can be made.

If the officer is to be armed, he or she must be adequately trained. Equipping a security officer without proper training, could result in costly litigation or a potential harmful incident that could have been avoided, by a well executed training program.

The training should consist of such subjects as an introduction to and the importance of firearms, local and federal laws affecting firearms handling, firearms familiarization, firearms safety and maintenance and the fundamentals of hand gun firing.

The client should also have a comprehensive firearms policy that complements the training program. Included in the policy should be a statement addressing when, where and how firearms are to be used, along with the type firearms allowed on the premises. The security officer should also be required to have an internal pistol permit, which outlines the officer’s experience, training and familiarization with the client’s firearms policy. This permit should be reviewed by the corporation’s legal team, then authorized and approved by Senior Management.

The security officer has a mission to protect life first, and then property. When an evaluation of these factors is considered by the client, then and only then can an intelligent decision be made to arm or not to arm its security officers.

Remember the term “Deadly Force”. The term can be misleading, especially in a court of law, and can have a confusing effect. When you decide to hire an armed guard, you are choosing to establish a deadly force into your business or institution. Not a decision to make without careful legal consideration.

A sample Pistol Policy and Internal Permit Form is available upon request.