Things to Know About the Firearm Training

Firearm Training is done by professional instructors to ensure safe handling of firearms. These instructors also train individuals in the usage of firearms. The idea behind training is to make sure that gun users are aware of safety measures and know how to handle firearms in a proper manner.

Firearm training is extremely important since it is one of the most dangerous objects being used from time to time. To make sure that the firearm is used in a correct manner and no harm is caused, it is important that firearm training is done. The problem with such training is that there are many gun trainers who are not professional and might not be able to give the best training. In order to have the best training and prevent any accidents from happening, it is important to find a good trainer who has experience in this field.

Firearm training is an educational process that starts before you ever pick up a firearm. Training with firearms is a perishable skill just like any other and requires regular practice to keep current.

Firearm training can be divided into two broad categories: range time and classroom/book time. Range time is the hands on portion of your training that involves live fire with a qualified instructor. Classroom/book time is everything else you do to prepare yourself for your qualification or advanced training.

The importance of each type of training varies by the person, the firearm they use and their intended use for that firearm. Some people will spend more classroom time on learning the laws regarding their carry weapon, others will spend more on range time learning how to shoot. The best way to figure out how much training you need is to find a qualified instructor and start asking questions about what you want to know.

Firearm training is the instruction of the use, maintenance, and safe handling of firearms. Training includes a wide variety of topics, ranging from the safe storage of firearms to their proper use in competition and self-defense.

Firearm training may be available from government bodies (such as the police or military), shooting clubs, professional trainers or via the Internet. Proper training is important for the safety of people who handle firearms for a living or for recreation.

Firearm training isn’t a simple thing to do, you need to be trained on how the gun works and how to use it, then you have to get accustomed with the weight of it and know how to handle it under pressure. As time goes by and you practice more and more, handling a firearm gets easier for you. The goal is for you to learn how to properly handle a firearm so that way if you’re in danger or your life is in danger, you’ll know what to do without thinking about it.

Why Female Security Guards Are in Such High Demand

The image most people have of a security guard, is a big, burly man who takes no nonsense from anyone, but over time, this image is gradually changing. With more and women entering into the security industry, no longer do men totally dominate the security world, and it’s become increasingly common to see women helping to provide protection for individuals, businesses and events.

But is this just about equality, or do females actually make better security guards?

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons whyfemale security guards are increasingly in high demand within the security industry:

Women draw less attention to themselves

Those stereotypical, big, burly security guards described at the top of this article, do nothing to detract attention away from themselves, and while sometimes a visible source of protection is needed, when it comes to protecting professional individuals, the more discrete the level of security can be, the better. A female security guard, in the majority of instances, can easily be mistaken for a partner, personal assistant or even a nanny.

An obvious security personnel presence is no longer wanted by many individuals who hire protection, and for protecting the children of high-profile individuals, many also prefer to hire female security guards, rather than males.  

Okay, so gender equality does have something to do with it

And that’s nothing to be ashamed of, after all, if women can perform a role just as well (or better) than their male counterparts, why shouldn’t they be given the opportunity to do so? Many more companies nowadays are under pressure to balance the gender of their employees, and be seen as an equal opportunities employer, meaning that increasingly, women are being welcomed into the security industry with open arms.

Women are taking on more diverse roles

Many more women nowadays have the confidence to apply for a variety of roles that might not ordinarily have been considered appropriate or suitable for them, and no longer shy away from pursuing a career in the security industry.

When frisking is mandatory, females are mandatory

In a lot of schools, colleges, shopping malls, airports and work places, frisking is mandatory before entry to certain areas is permitted, but with female visitors or attendees only able to be frisked by other females, this has fuelled the need for more women in the security industry.

Women are proven to be more effective at diffusing situations

When it comes to conflict resolution, female security guards have long been proven to be more effective at diffusing difficult and/or dangerous situations, as while most men will be happy to get into a fight with a male guard, they are typically less comfortable brawling with a woman. Not only that, but women generally tend to display a more compassionate, less intimidatory side when working in a security capacity, which can help to lower the levels of aggression on display, and bring about a sense of calm. If you’re a woman who would like to explore a career in security, there are plenty of opportunities for you to do so, all you need to do is find a great training school, enroll, and get protecting!

Proprietary and Contract Security Firms; What’s the Difference?

Responsible for protecting companies and businesses and ensuring the safety of both employees and consumers, proprietary security and contract security companies are involved in the same industry, while serving very different needs.

What does a proprietary security company do?

Controlled entirely by a particular company, a proprietary security company is responsible for hiring, firing and managing security personnel.

What does a contract security company do?

Operated by a professional security company, they contract their security services to different companies.

What do they cost?

Costlier because your company is responsible for paying benefits and higher wages for those personnel with more experience, proprietary security is more expensive, but often more appealing since the level of training and ability of the guards, is significantly higher.

When dealing with a contract security company, the salary given to security guards is typically lower due to the cost of uniforms, sick leave and training benefits that are all covered by the service.

Which gives more control?

From the perspective of a proprietary security employee, you may find that they have more feelings of loyalty towards the company, since they may have developed a sense of camaraderie with their fellow employees and experience opportunities for growth and promotions within their career.

When it comes to using the services of a contract security service on the other hand, if your company needs to take on more employees, or lay some off, you might be able to deal with such staffing problems in a more efficient way.

Which service gives more consistency?

For a company needing daily, micromanaged security, then a proprietary security service might offer the best solution to your security needs.

Which is the most effective?

Trained to meet the specific needs of a company, proprietary security personnel often become more familiar with the layout of a building or space, and are able to recognize individuals coming and going, with greater ease and accuracy.

Thanks in part to a high rate of turnover, contract security guards don’t often get the opportunity to establish strong working relationships with employees, which can have a negative impact on how loyal they are to the company, and play a role in determining the level of their performance.

Liability

If you choose to take on a proprietary security service, you’ll be responsible for taking the appropriate measures with respect to background checks and ensuring that the applicant has the right level of training and skills to fulfil their role to the standard required.

Choosing to take on a contract security service on the other hand, means that training, recruitment and background checks are handled by the firm, and not your concern. When deciding which type of security service to hire, there are many factors to take into consideration, and a lot will depend upon your specific needs and the extent of your budget. However, it’s important to remember that security is a significant aspect of any business, and if you want to protect it in the best way possible, make sure your budget is big enough.

What Are the Main Skills and Responsibilities of a Security Guard?

While the specific role of a security guard will depend upon the place where they are appointed to work, there are skills and responsibilities that they must all possess in order to fulfil their role successfully, and some of these are listed below:

  • A polite, calm and reasoned approach
  • The ability to communicate effectively with all types of people
  • Quick thinking and spontaneity
  • The ability to solve problems in a quick and efficient manner
  • Able to follow instructions to the letter
  • A sound technical understanding of security systems
  • A high level of physical fitness and strength

The primary role of a security guard is to prevent crimes from occurring, but there are some other responsibilities they should be able to uphold that are significant, too:

Maintaining order and helping to create a safe, secure environment

Whether patrolling the interior and exterior of a premises, or in a stationary guard position, a security guard must routinely check windows, doors and gates to ensure that they’re properly locked, and examine every aspect of the surrounding area to determine whether the environment is safe; this also includes assessing people and preventing any unauthorised or unlawful activities from taking place within the premises.

Identifying suspicious behavior or risks to public safety

A good security guard is exceptionally observant, and has the ability to watch and observe areas within the vicinity, without being unduly distracted. Thanks to their professional training, they are also able to identify suspicious behavior displayed by employees, visitors or customers, and are also trained to identify the signs of potential criminal activity, or any other potentially dangerous incident.

Responding appropriately to emergency situations

In most instances, security guards are the first to respond to any kind of emergency situation, and are trained to keep calm and focus on dealing with the situation appropriately. Specialist security guards may have received training in other areas, such as first aid and CPR, fire watch and crisis management, and may have even more skills in the event of an emergency.

Communicating effectively

An important aspect of maintaining safety and security, communication is a vital responsibility for all security guards, and they must be able to do talk to others in a manner that is calm, polite and respectful. From directing visitors to a site, to warning others about as potential security threat, a good security guard will be able to command a high level of respect and communicate information or instructions in a clear and concise manner.

Monitoring the behavior and activities of people

Security guards must remain alert and watchful at all times, and must monitor activities in and around the premises, along with closely observing the behavior of staff and others inside the area, no matter the time of day, or how quiet and uneventful things may appear to be. If you think you have all of the skills above, and would be able to uphold the responsibilities of a qualified security guard, why not find a local training academy and register with them today?

Do Security Guards Have the Same Powers as The Police?

While some security guards might like to think they have the same powers as the police, in reality, that isn’t the case. That said, security guards do hold a certain level of authority in some circumstances, and undoubtedly play a significant role in helping to protect the public, individuals and even buildings from the threat of attack.

To know what a security guard does have the power to do, read on:

While it’s worth noting that some individual state laws vary, the following actions are ones that most security guards are permitted (and often required) to carry out:

Protect property

With responsibilities having been delegated to them, security guards help protect both the location in question, and any on-site personnel. They are permitted to request that people refrain from loitering there, that they leave a premises if their behavior isn’t desirable or they don’t have permission to be there, and can even detail an individual if they have probable cause to suspect that a crime may have been committed.

In the case of a retail security guard, for example, they may have spotted someone shoplifting within the premises, and detain them until the police arrive.

Detain individuals

As mentioned above, if a security guard suspects an individual (or individuals) of carrying out an offence on or around the property they’ve been employed to protect, they can detain them in a reasonable manner. They may use handcuffs, if necessary, initiate a pat-down to determine if they are carrying a weapon, and stop the person from leaving the scene until law enforcement arrives.

In some states, a security guard may even be permitted to detain a person in any public area if they believe a crime has been committed, and hold them until law enforcement arrive. However, additional training may be required in order for a security guard to carry this out legally.

Make a citizen’s arrest

If a crime has been witnessed, and to ensure public safety, a security guard can arrest a person using the same rights that we are all entitled to. The security guard who has made the arrest must call the police as soon as they can, and if the person they’ve detained is carrying a weapon, the guard is within their rights to do so.

Use reasonable force

While a security guard is permitted to use force against a person to ensure the safety of others and of property, they must do so with reasonable force, and it must be justified. Just as a police officer would be expected to use non-violent methods to resolve an issue first, they may resort to a certain level of force if those methods have proved unsuccessful. 

Below are some actions security guards are not permitted to carry out:

Detain people for an unlimited amount of time

While they can detain an individual for a certain degree of time, such as for how long it takes the police to arrive, they can’t hold them indefinitely.

Use unreasonable force

Using unreasonable force to detain someone or remove them from the premises can include applying pain, choking, discrimination and improper use of handcuffs, among others. While a security guard does not have the same powers as the police, they do still play an incredibly important role in protecting people and property, and if you think you’re suited to a career in security, reach out to a local training facility today, and start learning the skills required to professionally protect.