Armed Security Guards Need Background Check and More Training Crime School

Do armed security guards require more regulation?





* Should there be a national standard for background checks?


* Is there a national clearinghouse for armed security guards?


* Is mental health screening necessary for armed security guards?


* Do armed security guards need more use-of-force training?

















Play CNN Hired Guns video then listen to the podcast dialog











Podcast Time Stamps





* [00:40] - Should government create laws for armed security guards


* [01:25] - Armed security officers are not police officers


* [04:10] - Interview with investigative reporter Lisa McCormick begins


* [08:00] - At what level of government should regulations be enacted


* [12:00] - Need for a national armed security guards clearinghouse


* [18:15] - Armed security guards agency is easiest to regulate


* [21:15] - Property owners that hire armed guards are responsible


* [23:00] - Interview follow-up and remarks














Armed Security Guards in the News


Investigative reporter, Lisa McCormick from WDAF-TV in Kansas City called to get my opinion about the need for armed security guards licensing and background checks in Missouri, Kansas, and other states.





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Armed Security Guards - Big Questions





* Should Missouri, Kansas, and other states create laws requiring background checks of armed security guards?


* What are the risks of not having screening and training regulations for armed security guards?


* Do I agree that the industry of armed security guards is a haphazard system of lax laws with minimal oversight and almost no accountability?


* Are more hours of scenario training required for armed security guards?





Armed Security Guards - Answers are Complex





* The federal government should only provide a framework for private security guard screening especially the small armed segment of that industry.


* Federal government should assist with coordination of a national clearinghouse for background checks and ease current obstructions


* The state government is good at setting regulations and standards, but not for staying on top of licensing, complaints, and local enforcement.


* Local municipal government is best at enforcement if they consistently under-take the duty statewide and have budget assistance to do so.


* There needs to be a hybrid method of adopting Federal & State standards with local enforcement and oversight without being burdensome.


* We can do better, for example, a licensed manicurist has stricter licensing and training requirements than an armed security guard.








More Resources on this Subject:





* Video source: CNN and Center for Investigative Reporting with Anderson Cooper.


* CNN year-long report on Armed Security Guards called a href="h...