Do security guards typically carry guns?

[LoveBWVVBR]

Do the rent-a-cop type security guards typically carry guns/weapons? My clinically insane uncle has gotten a job as a security guard, and my sister is freaked out that he might be carrying a gun for his job. I told her that I highly doubted that security guards carry guns, but I'm actually really not sure. Also, why don't they do background checks and drug tests before hiring people for these types of jobs He has a record, he's clinically insane (and on medication), and he brags about using illegal drugs

 

[kdibattista]

My mom was an undercover security guard for a local store and did not carry any weapons. My sister was a security guard (while going through the police academy) at a local mall and did not carry a gun either.

ETA: Even if they did carry a gun, I'm assuming they would have to go through all the same background checks to obtain a permit.

 

[lil mermaid]

Yes, some security guards do carry guns.

I used to hire contract security guards, and we always conducted background checks and had them drug tested before they could start work. In addition, any armed guard would have to posses the correct type of license to carry in the state they were assigned to work in.

 

[DVC-Don]

Back before I got into law enforcement I was a guard at a few places. One was a firearms factory and we all carried guns. The beer plant and the defense missle plant were unarmed. I had a permit to carry a firearm for personal protection back then.

*corrected grammer

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

It unnerves me to know that some security guards do, in fact, carry guns. There is just no way that someone as certifiable as my uncle should be armed

 

[Aidensmom]

If they didn't do a background check on him, I doubt he will be carrying a gun. He would still have to meet requirements for a gun permit to carry one as a security officer (rent-a-cop is a very degrading term BTW).

My DH is currently head of security for a private company, and there are less regulations for this job as when he worked for a security agency. When you work for a security agency in Florida, you have to have a license and certification, and the certification class has to be re-taken every couple of years. If a private company hires you to do security and are on their payroll, a license/certification isn't always required.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

If they didn't do a background check on him, I doubt he will be carrying a gun. He would still have to meet requirements for a gun permit to carry one as a security officer (rent-a-cop is a very degrading term BTW).

My DH is currently head of security for a private company, and there are less regulations for this job as when he worked for a security agency. When you work for a security agency in Florida, you have to have a license and certification, and the certification class has to be re-taken every couple of years. If a private company hires you to do security and are on their payroll, a license/certification isn't always required.

I apologize for using that term. I didn't mean to be degrading. It's just that I can't think of a good term to describe a job in which my uncle would be acting as "security"

 

[JoyG]

My mom had a brief stint as a security guard and she did have to carry a gun.

I often teased her about it. Having my mom carry a gun is like having a smoke detector with no batteries. It seems like it's there for when you need it, but if there was really an emergency it would be no help at all.

My mom would never pull out that gun to use it, and if there was trouble, she'd be the first one out the door. That job didn't last long, thankfully.

 

[Cindy B]

I actually was a security guard when I was younger. I did not have a gun but I did have a billy club and handcuffs.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If it is a "rent a cop", an off duty police officer, yes they carry guns.