Armed Guards

In addition to all the training and experience required for unarmed security guard services, armed guards must also be trained in the use of firearms and licensed to carry a weapon. Perhaps equally important, armed guards must have a calm temperament and a complete understanding of the conditions that prevail in the environment they will be working in.

Under most circumstances, armed security guards are only employed where items of substantial value must be protected. This includes cash, jewelry, antiques, works-of-art, valuable documents, rare books or important people.
They do more than just guard. Armed security guard services also include escorting funds to banks and other financial institutions, escorting cash and other valuables from one place to another within a facility such as a Casino, and physically ascertaining that protective systems such as safes and alarm systems are active. Armed guards are not ordinarily employed in public retail areas because experience has shown that unarmed guards are generally a sufficient crime deterrent in large department stores malls and sports venues.

Armed security officers are rarely called upon to use lethal force, but can do so if the situation requires it or for self protection from an armed adversary.