Do You Need an Armed Guard?

The Pros and Cons of Armed Deterrence

 

 

Deadly force. Just using the phrase has a sobering effect. When you decide to hire an armed guard, you are choosing to introduce a deadly force into your business or institution. Not a decision to make without careful consideration.

Pros and Cons
Uniformed guards are chiefly used for deterrence. When those guards are armed, the deterrent effect is amplified. The presence of a gun may be all that is needed to convince a robber or attacker to leave you alone and find a softer target.
You may also save lives — an unarmed guard has limited tools to defend you; in the proper hands, a gun is an instrument of protection.
On the negative side, you may escalate a situation. Once an armed guard reaches for his or her weapon, expect shots to be fired – by the guard, by the assailant, or by both.
Armed guards are also more expensive. Not only are you paying your security contractor for a higher level of training and responsibility, but your insurance costs may rise, as well.
Some Points to Consider
Assess the need carefully. Does your line of business or location make you liable to a violent attack? If so, armed protection may be necessary.
Another decision-making factor is whether or not surrounding businesses use armed protection. If so, you may be the softest target in the area, and become more attractive to violent offenders. If theft is the main threat, it may be better to let the robber get away than to invite a gun battle.
Ideally, armed guards should have military or police experience, in addition to formal training. If you are using contract guards, inquire into the background and experience of the officers assigned to you facility. You may also want to consider hiring an off-duty police officer. You can usually expect a higher level of training and experience with a sworn officer. Check with your local police department to see if they allow off-duty personnel to moonlight.
Consult your legal and insurance advisors to help you weigh the potential benefits and liabilities. One serious question to ask you insurance provider is whether you are covered in the case of a wrongful shooting.
Finally, communicate with your employees. If you bring an armed guard into your facility, make sure they understand why you’ve made the decision, and why you think this change will make them safer. This will most likely be a sensitive cultural issue. Many employees will feel safer with armed protection, however, some may resent the introduction of weapons into the workplace. As with any policy change, communication is critical.
A Real Life Example
Early Sunday morning, on December 9, 2007, a gunman named Matthew Murray walked into a missionary training center in Arvada, Colorado. He opened fire, killing two. As a result of the shooting, area churches and businesses went on high alert.
Later that day, Murray entered New Life Church, a 10,000 member congregation in nearby Colorado Springs. He was carrying an assault rifle and two handguns. He opened fire, killing two more victims.
New Life had already developed a security plan which included the use of volunteer, undercover guards. One of the guards was Jeanne Assam, a former Minneapolis Police Officer. As the attack began on December 9, Assam confronted the assailant, identified herself and opened fire. She wounded the attacker, who then took his own life.
While these twin shootings were a horrible tragedy, the loss of life could have been deeper. Two things went right in this scenario. First, New Life recognized the need to provide discreet protection and had a proactive policy in place. Second, Ms. Assam drew on her professional training and reacted appropriately to the threat.
This incident underscores the seriousness of providing armed protection. While five lives were lost, many more would almost certainly have been killed without a well considered security plan.