Armed Guards 101: Are Armed Security Guards Worth the Investment?

Private security is a $180 billion global industry.

Clearly, all over the world, individuals and businesses are choosing to hire their own security guards.

And for good reason! They serve a vital role in protecting their employers from harm. They’re specially trained to respond to emergency situations, deal with threats and effectively handle wrongdoing.

However, not all security personnel are qualified to serve the same function; different contexts call for different levels of security.

Armed guards, for example, require additional training and won’t be appropriate for every security situation. Hiring them will also set you back significantly more money! That aside, they can be especially valuable in the right setting.

Wondering about the benefits of hiring armed security? Unsure if they’re worth the money?

Keep reading to discover when and why armed guards are absolutely a worthy investment.

1. Protection of Valuables

Wealthy individuals and businesses almost always possess items of value.

For thieves and criminals, these can become an obvious target. In short, you have something that they want. They’d willing to risk incarceration in order to get it.

Generally speaking, higher value ‘prizes’ require greater protection. Armed guards may be unnecessary for smaller businesses in Jersey City with fewer valuables on site. By contrast, banks and jewelry shops with valuables in abundance arguably need armed personnel.

Why? Because criminals will go to greater lengths to secure the bounty. Sometimes, that means violence. An armed detail will provide an equal and proportionate level of defense. They can respond to the threat and go pound for pound with the criminal.

Likewise, the value isn’t necessarily in an item. An important person may be where the value lies. For instance, you’ll never find a president without an armed detail around them. That’s for good reason.

They hold immense value and require appropriate security as a result.

2. Greater Training

You can’t just pick up a gun and call yourself an armed security guard.

Well, you could. But it wouldn’t be legal, and you definitely wouldn’t be as effective as an actual armed guard.

In reality, to qualify for this role you must have significant levels of additional training. Generally speaking, that means these individuals have more on the job experience too. They have to pass certain standards and are frequently tested, over time, to maintain their position.

Overall, hiring armed guards means your safety, or that of your business is in better hands. You can guarantee greater professionalism and quality of work.

3. Significant Deterrent against Crime

Security guards always act as a strong deterrent against crime.

After all, most would-be criminals want easy wins. They’ll rob the store in Washington with no CCTV. They’ll enter the premises in Baltimore with no spotlights. They’ll attack the individual with no protection in Wilmington.

Throw in the possibility of getting caught and apprehended, and the likelihood of a problem goes down. A security guard makes it harder to get away with the crime. That fact alone puts thieves/intruders/would-be attackers off their goal.

As we just mentioned though, greater rewards tempt criminals to take greater risks. A solitary security guard may not be enough to deter someone from robbing a factory full of luxury items.

Give them a lethal weapon though and that can change very quickly.

4. Reassurance of In-Depth Background Checks

All security personnel are subject to background checks by their employer.

This is an important way of validating someone’s aptitude for the job. It’s a look back at someone’s history to ascertain that they have no dubious history or question marks against their name.

Armed guards go through a more rigorous background checking process.

After all, they must meet all the legal requirements to handle a weapon. That means the FBI is charged with fingerprinting and investigating them too. The employer does their screen first. Then it’s on to the FBI.

The client can rest assured that the person charged with their protection is fit to carry a weapon.

Still unsure? Here are some key questions to ask when hiring a security guard firm.

5. Protection in High-Risk Locations

The likelihood of crime changes in relation to location.

Certain neighborhoods and areas inevitably have higher rates of crime than others. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world. You could be in Philadelphia or Washington DC.

For one reason or another, the need for security is greater in some areas versus others.

In particularly troubled areas, it can make sense to hire armed guards.

Remember, they act as a better deterrent. Furthermore, the increased likelihood of an attack means they’re better prepared to deal with a situation when it arises.

Is your business set up in an area known for its high rates of gun crime? Well, it makes sense to have security with guns of their own to protect it. Remember, people who are desperate can be the most dangerous.

6. Sense of Wellbeing

Dealing with a dangerous situation is one thing.

If something happens, you know you have a team of dedicated professionals who can handle the situation. That’s obviously important.

However, a side effect of this is the sense of reassurance it provides. Employees and customers can feel a greater sense of safety. Knowing you have someone in place to manage and prevent criminal activity can provide peace of mind.

We live in a difficult time. Everyone is on high alert. The number of mass shootings in the US is frightening. Any method of reassuring people that they’re in safe hands should, arguably, be taken.

Final Thoughts on Armed Guards for Security

There you have it: the primary benefits of hiring armed guards for your security needs.

Private security is an enormous industry around the world. In every country, increasing numbers of individuals and businesses are hiring security to serve their vital protective function.

Armed security, in particular, can offer significant advantages. However, due to their specific role, and the heavier price tag attached, the decision to hire them can be more difficult. As we’ve seen, though, that premium can be more than worth the money in the right situation.

Hopefully, this post has highlighted exactly why that’s the case.

Looking to hire security personnel? Contact us today to see how we can help.

If you’d like to learn more about OPS Security Group Armed Security Services, Visit https://opssecuritygroup.com/ops-services/security-services/armed-security/

OPS Security Group has over 80 years of combined experience protecting executives, businesses, residents, guests and government officials throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C. and New Jersey. As a regional security alternative with a service-first approach, we offer a level of customer service that international providers are too big to deliver. If you’d like to learn more, you can contact us at https://opssecuritygroup.com/contact/