What makes a security guard proficient? What skills and traits are necessary for truly succeeding in this role? It’s easy to assume competency when viewing a fully uniformed and armed guard standing at a post, but this commanding image does not ensure a full range of required capabilities. There is certainly more involved than the minimum government standards required for licensure.

LEGAL AWARENESS
The state government issues all necessary guard and firearm licenses, and they also issue the numerous laws that dictate their permissible usage and associated restrictions. While not exciting or glamorous, extensive knowledge and comprehension of these laws are very important for a security professional. In addition to supporting safety protocols, these laws are integral to a valid legal defense of any incident involving the use of a firearm, which is always required any time a gun is fired or even drawn. It is critical to understand the factors which legally justify using a firearm, which is classified as the “use of deadly force”. These factors involve the evidence of a threat posing imminent danger, and anyone who uses deadly force will be required to adequately explain these factors and prove that such force was necessary and appropriate.

Laws regulating the specific usages and restrictions of firearms in public can vary from state to state, so it is necessary to understand the distinctions and to acquire adequate knowledge of the laws applicable to the jurisdiction where armed services are being provided. This advanced and technical knowledge is not commonly known to the layman, and possessing it distinguishes a true security professional from the numerous insufficiently qualified operators posing as such.