Weak Links in the Armed Security Guard Profession

Weak Links in the Armed Security Guard Profession

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Dec 10, 2014

I’m always on the lookout for good news stories that relate to the security industry – the ones that grab me, that really sparks something inside of me, and I think I found one. Maybe I’m still too “new to the industry” to realize this, but there are no national standards for armed security guards nor is there a national database of how many shoot or misuse their guns. This struck me as a little odd to say the least.

CNN teamed up with The Center for Investigative Reporting for a yearlong investigation, examining training standards for armed guards in all 50 states. The results were a bit alarming. 

Take this comparison: A manicurist in California is required to complete 400 hours of training to receive a license, but an armed security guard only needs 54 total hours with only 14 of them dedicated to firearms training. That’s just in California; in 15 states, no firearms training is needed at all. The result of this lack of training can be seen here:

In the state of Nevada, a guard felt the need to fire his gun into the air outside a rowdy teen dance. The result? The bullet came down, struck and killed a teenage bystander.

The investigation also discovered that the backgrounds of armed security guards varied from those with criminal records for domestic violence, drug and alcohol offenses to former law enforcement officers with serious disciplinary problems. In addition, 27 states don’t even check if an armed guard is banned by federal law from carrying a firearm and 9 states don’t even conduct criminal background checks at all.

Some are calling for stricter standards, like Steve Amitay, lobbyist and general counsel for National Association of Security Companies. He is lobbying for FBI criminal background checks for anyone who desires to be an armed security guard.

What do you think? What should the requirements be for armed security guards? Should they be held to nationally-recognized standards? What about possessing a firearm? Should armed guards be required a certain number of training hours each year? And, background checks? Should these be required for each potential armed guard?

Looking forward to discussing this with you!

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • Midtown Manhattan Shooting Kills 4, Including NYPD Officer

    Four people were killed, including a NYPD officer, in a midtown Manhattan shooting on Monday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.