Armed security: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What armed security is

An armed security guard protects a property, a person or an event while carrying a firearm, under added training, authorization and written rules about when force may be used. Armed coverage is used for high value sites, cash handling, certain events and some locations where the risk of violence is higher.

Signs you need it

  • Your site handles large amounts of cash, valuables or high risk goods that are a target for armed theft
  • You have had threats or armed incidents at or near your property
  • You are running an event where the local authorities or insurers require armed coverage
  • You need an armed escort for a transfer of valuables or sensitive materials
  • Your current security provider cannot meet the requirements that your insurer or lender has set

What the pro does

  • Review the site, the threat assessment and any insurance or legal requirements for armed coverage
  • Set the written rules for when force may be used, and get them approved by you and the company
  • Confirm each guard's license, authorization and firearm training before they are assigned
  • Post guards at the locations and times agreed, with the duties written in the post orders
  • Coordinate with police and emergency services on the site plan, the contact list and the response steps
  • Report incidents in writing, including every use of the firearm or any draw, to you and to the agency that requires the report

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The hours of coverage and the number of armed guards on each shift
  • The type of site, its size and how many entry points must be covered
  • Whether the guard must transport valuables or accompany a person
  • The training and authorization the job requires for the specific setting
  • Whether the job needs a supervisor, a dispatch center or a written threat assessment
  • Whether the armed coverage must be added to a site that already has unarmed guards

What a written quote should spell out

  • The license, authorization and training each armed guard holds, with proof
  • The written rules on the use of force, and who approved them
  • The hours, posts and duties covered, and the incident reporting process
  • Insurance held by the company, including coverage for armed work
  • What happens if an armed guard is unavailable, and who replaces them

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which licenses and authorizations do your armed guards hold, and where are they valid?
  • What training do armed guards receive, and how often is it renewed?
  • Who writes the rules on the use of force for my site, and who approves them?
  • How do you handle an incident where a firearm is drawn or used?
  • Do you carry insurance that covers armed work, and can I see the certificate?
  • How do you check the armed guards' backgrounds and mental fitness for the job?

Red flags

  • Cannot show the licenses and authorizations for each armed guard
  • Will not put the use of force rules in writing
  • Offers armed guards without asking about your site, your risk or your insurance requirements
  • Asks you to sign a contract that makes you responsible for the guards' actions without a clear review

What you can do yourself

Do not try to arm or train staff to act as armed security yourself. You can review your site's lighting, locks, cameras and cash handling routines, and reduce the number of cash transfers. Hire armed security only through a licensed company, and only after a professional threat assessment and a written plan for when armed coverage is needed.

Licenses and permits

Armed security is commonly licensed and often requires added authorization and firearm training beyond the basic guard license. Requirements are set by each state or local licensing agency, so check with that agency for the license and authorization that apply where the guards will work, and ask the company for proof of each one.

Armed security questions

Do armed guards need a separate permit?

Often they need an authorization or endorsement on top of their basic license, and the rules differ by state. Check with your state or local licensing agency and ask the company for the proof.

Who is responsible if an armed guard causes harm?

Responsibility depends on the facts, the contracts and the law where the incident happens. Talk with a licensed attorney and your insurer before signing an armed contract.

Is armed security always the right choice?

No. Armed coverage adds risk as well as protection. A professional threat assessment will show whether armed coverage fits your site, or whether other measures meet the need.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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