The Pros and Cons of Hiring An Unarmed vs. Armed Security Guard
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From vandalism to theft to violent crimes, the reality of crime affects businesses of every type. Hiring professional security guards offers a strategic measure to protect assets, secure environments, and provide peace of mind for employees and customers.
According to the FBI’s 2022 Crime Data Explorer, a violent crime now occurs every 24.7 seconds in the U.S., and property crimes are reported every 4.1 seconds. While recent years have seen fluctuating rates, certain crimes, such as robbery, have surged in various areas, highlighting the need for businesses to implement effective security solutions.
One of the best preventative measures you can take against crime is to hire a security guard. But first, you’ll have to decide if you need to hire a guard that’s armed or unarmed.
Not sure which type of guard is right for your business?
Here are the pros and cons of hiring armed vs unarmed guards to protect your business or your next event.
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What Type of Security Guard Do You Need?
Deciding whether to hire an armed or unarmed guard depends on the type of business you run. It also depends on how much risk is involved. High-risk businesses should consider armed security guard services, while unarmed guards are usually sufficient for businesses that have low-risk security needs.
Assess Risk Levels
Evaluate the specific risks your customers, employees, or event guests might face. Consider crime rates in your area, the nature of your business, and any high-value assets or sensitive data on-site.
Identify High-Risk Environments
Armed guards may be appropriate for businesses facing elevated security risks, such as:
- Retail stores handling expensive assets, like luxury goods or jewelry.
- Financial institutions with high volumes of cash or sensitive data.
- High-occupancy buildings, including large offices or residential complexes.
- VIP events (e.g., concerts, political gatherings, or movie sets).
- Businesses in high-crime areas, regardless of industry.
In special cases, such as schools, a balanced approach that combines both armed and unarmed guards can address unique security needs in line with community expectations and regulatory requirements, fostering a safe environment.
Similarly, while high-end retail stores and financial institutions are inherently high-risk, even smaller businesses in high-crime areas may need enhanced security measures to ensure safety for employees and customers alike.
Pro tip: A risk assessment every six months can help identify emerging threats, allowing you to adjust staffing or add specific guard types as needed.
Read About: The Ultimate Event Security Checklist
What Do Unarmed Security Guards Do?
Unarmed security officers are essential to crime prevention. The visible presence of a guard often deters potential criminals from attempting unlawful activities, providing peace of mind to staff, customers, and visitors.
However, their role extends beyond simply discouraging crime. Unarmed guards fulfill a variety of critical security functions, including:
- Access Control: Establishing secure entry and exit protocols to monitor who enters and exits.
- Restricted Area Protection: Preventing unauthorized access to sensitive or restricted areas.
- Weapon Screening: Conducting entry checks to detect and deter weapons.
- Emergency Response: Leading evacuation efforts and coordinating during emergencies.
- Crowd Management: Maintaining order during high-traffic events or peak times.
In addition to security-specific duties, unarmed guards often assist customers, guests, and employees directly. Their responsibilities may include escorting individuals to their vehicles, providing directions, and serving as front-line staff at reception desks or entry points.
Armed Security Guards: The Pros and Cons
For high-risk environments, armed security guards offer an elevated level of preparedness that can be essential to maintaining safety and deterring crime. Armed guards provide an immediate response capability in dangerous situations, positioning them as a unique asset for certain businesses.
Let’s explore the roles and responsibilities of armed guards, along with the pros and cons of employing them, to help you determine if this security level is right for your organization.
What Do Armed Security Guards Do?
Armed guards bring a specialized skill set and heightened authority to high-risk environments. Their key responsibilities include:
- Standard security duties: Like unarmed guards, they conduct patrols, monitor surveillance systems, enforce access controls, and respond to incidents.
- Carrying firearms: Armed guards have the authority to use firearms, equipping them to handle life-threatening situations if necessary, which provides an essential defense in high-risk settings.
- Specialized training and background: Many armed guards have law enforcement or military experience, having completed rigorous training in firearm handling, de-escalation, and use-of-force protocols. This expertise is vital in environments that require an elevated level of protection.
The Pros of Armed Security
Personnel and customers frequently perceive the presence of armed security officers favorably as a robbery deterrent or an assurance that violent situations can be quickly addressed. Depending on the nature of your business and its location, an armed guard can be an invaluable asset.
Armed guards can be an invaluable asset in high-risk environments, offering several advantages:
Strong Crime Deterrent
The presence of armed guards serves as a strong deterrent against crime, especially in high-risk settings. The top five industries that require armed guards to protect their businesses include healthcare, education, hospitality, transportation, and manufacturing industries.
Enhanced Safety and Reassurance
Armed guards provide peace of mind for customers, guests, and staff, enhancing their perception of safety. In the event of a serious threat, armed guards are equipped to respond immediately, offering rapid protection to maintain a secure environment.
Immediate Threat Response
With average law enforcement response times ranging from 4 to 5 minutes, armed guards provide a critical advantage by responding to threats instantly. Trained to assess and address dangerous situations swiftly, they can neutralize threats before police arrive, which is especially vital in high-risk settings.
The Cons of Armed Security
Before bringing armed security into your business, it’s essential to consider some possible drawbacks. Additionally, security incidents can still occur even with armed guards on-site, making it critical to focus on how guards respond to these situations.
Customer Discomfort with Firearms
Security industry insights confirm that while armed guards can effectively deter crime, their presence can also introduce a level of discomfort for some customers, employees, and guests. Here’s how businesses can approach this balance:
Potential for unease around firearms
Many people feel uncomfortable around visible firearms, and an armed guard’s presence may imply heightened risk, which can make the environment feel less welcoming.
This is especially notable in low- to medium-risk locations (e.g., retail stores, restaurants, apartment complexes) where firearms aren’t typically expected.
Suitability for public and family-friendly spaces
Businesses frequented by families or open to the public often find unarmed guards to be a better choice, as they provide a secure atmosphere without signaling potential danger.
Opting for unarmed guards in such settings can maintain a welcoming atmosphere while ensuring security.
The choice between armed and unarmed guards largely depends on the specific environment and customer comfort level. For high-risk businesses, like banks or high-value retail locations, the deterrent effect of armed guards may outweigh discomfort, especially in contexts where the risks are known and accepted by patrons.
Armed Guards Cost More
Hiring armed security guards is more expensive than hiring unarmed guards. This is due to several factors:
- Specialized training: Armed guards require extensive training in firearm handling, use-of-force procedures, and de-escalation techniques.
- Firearm certification and licensing: Maintaining firearm certifications and licenses involves ongoing costs.
- Increased liability insurance: Businesses employing armed guards need higher liability insurance coverage to account for the potential use of force.
Higher Liability Insurance Requirements
The potential for the use of deadly force means that businesses employing armed guards face significantly higher liability insurance costs. For standard security companies, general liability insurance typically costs between $87 and $129 per month per $1 million in coverage.
However, for those with armed personnel, premiums can be substantially higher to account for the added risks associated with firearms, including specialized training and certification requirements.
Many insurance providers even specialize in security coverage, offering additional layers such as umbrella insurance and professional liability to address the unique challenges posed by high-risk security roles.
These increased costs underscore the importance of thoroughly evaluating both financial implications and security needs when deciding between armed and unarmed security options.
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Tips for Choosing the Right Security Company
Selecting the right security company is crucial for protecting your assets and ensuring peace of mind. There are many different types of security companies you can hire. Consider the following factors when interviewing and vetting potential guards.
1. Assess the Security Company’s Reputation
Start by reviewing online testimonials and ratings to understand the reputation of a potential security provider. Platforms like Security Explorer offer insights into local services and client experiences, helping you determine if a company aligns with your business’s security requirements.
Also, consider background and reference checks on individual guards when possible. These professionals are entrusted with your organization’s safety, so thorough vetting is essential to ensure they’re reliable and trustworthy.
2. Evaluate Relevant Experience
Experience is crucial, but it’s also important to ensure the company has expertise that aligns with your specific needs. A company familiar with your sector will better understand potential risks and vulnerabilities. For example, securing a hospital requires different skills and knowledge than securing a construction site or a retail store.
Pro tip: The company should be able to demonstrate how they tailor their security solutions to meet your unique needs. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.
Browse recommended security guard services in popular destinations:
Los Angeles security guards | Sacramento security guards | San Francisco security guards
3. Compare Costs of the Security Service
When evaluating security services, consider a few key factors beyond just price to ensure you’re getting the best value:
- Get quotes from at least two or three reputable security companies.
- Inquire about their pricing model. Do they charge hourly rates, daily rates, or offer customized packages? Factor in potential overtime charges or additional fees for specialized services.
- Consider the overall value proposition. A slightly higher price might be justified if the company offers superior training, advanced technology, or a more comprehensive service package.
4. Consider Their Familiarity with Your Local Area
While security guards are trained to adapt to a variety of environments, familiarity with your specific location can be a valuable asset. For example, guards who know common patterns or potential threats in their area can make faster, more accurate decisions, improving response times and overall safety.
Armed with this local knowledge, security personnel can not only protect against active threats but also serve as a visible deterrent, creating a reassuring presence for employees, guests, and patrons alike.
Secure Your Business with the Right Protection
Investing in professional security, whether armed or unarmed, is one of the most effective ways to protect your business, assets, and the people who rely on your safety measures. A visible security presence not only deters potential threats but also creates a secure environment that fosters peace of mind for employees, guests, and customers.
Without dedicated security personnel, your business may be more vulnerable to crime, potentially resulting in significant loss or harm.
Professional security services are available all across the country. If you’re looking to hire a guard in California, connect with Security Explorer now to find experts you can trust and rely on to keep your business safe.
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Author
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David Santiago is a senior security consultant at Security Explorer and a USMC veteran with over ten years of experience in security education and best practices. He has written for top industry publications such as Security Integrator SDM and Food Engineering. He has collaborated with leading security integrators like 3Sixty Integrated, Safe and Sound Security, and SiteOwl.
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