New changes to Florida FS493; .40S&W, .357sig, .45acp....

[RustyShackelford]

Any forum members or security industry managers know if the Florida Assembly or Senate approved the new FS493 changes?
I'd read in the state DoL(Division of Licensing) newsletter online that elected officials would vote to modify the G(armed security) policy/statues & now allow security officers/PIs to carry .40S&W and .45acp semi automatic pistols while on duty.

The new provisions would need to signed off by Florida Gov Rick Scott but I wouldn't see why he'd oppose it.
The security industry pushed for these regulations for about 5/6 years so it would be good to see.
The Div of Licensing already changed a few security SOPs & statues due to the high cost of training rounds. A increased problem with fraud & misconduct by Florida security school managers(DI) & firearm trainers(K) led to new SOPs too.

PM me if you wish.

Rusty

 

[MedWheeler]

I'd be curious, too. For others perusing this subject, the law in Florida currently restricts armed security officers to ammunition in three calibers: 9mm Luger, .38 Special, and .380ACP (how many of you knew about that last one!?)

 

[RustyShackelford]

Waviers, duty loads....

Please note; the Florida Div of Licensing can issue special authorizations for G officers or PIs(C or CC license holders) to carry different weapons on duty; semi automatic pistols(.40, .45acp, etc) or rifles but those are extremely rare.
There like genie wishes or winning lottery tickets to some, .
The documents must be carried with the weapons while on duty & are only for temporary or limited assignments. Like a EP(executive protection) detail or for a high security area(nuclear power plant, weapons research facility, military post, etc).

Most G license officers carry 9x19mm sidearms in Florida but many want to get .45acp & .40S&W pistols like other sworn LE agencies.
It's not a major issue but like the replacement of .38spl DA revolvers, it's a pro-active measure for the security officers who work armed posts.
Other states like VA & PA regulate the armed security industry too but allow guards to carry many different sidearms; .44magnums, .45acp, .40s, .357sig, 10mm, etc. The licensed officers qualify & document the duty weapons with the regulatory agency and/or the security firm.
With Florida's huge tourism industry & homeland security concerns, these issues should be difficult to address but the powers-that-be are slow to change.

Rusty
PS; the DoL also restricts certain types of ammunition, which many G officers & security managers don't really follow. No tracers, exploding bullets, hand loads, or frangibles are allowed either by security officers on duty. Reloaded or hand-loads are authorized for training or re-quals.

 

[MtnCreek]

A little off topic, but do you have any info as to why the State would regulate what cartridges can by carried by security? Thanks.

 

[smogmage]

I'm familiar with the current regulations and its really handicapping, bordering on putting everyone at risk.

The regulations state that you can only carry a .380, a .38spl , a .375mag loaded with .38spl, or 9mm. And all loads have to be factory fmj. Shooting to stop a threat with any of the above cartridges in fmj is simply not going to get the job done in a few shots. Put stress and lack of any real training into the mix and what you're going to get is shots that miss their target entirely or over penetrate the target, posing a serious risk to bystanders.

I have no earthly idea why these regulations were put into effect in the first place. Maybe the people at the department of agriculture haven't heard of the 1986 FBI Miami shootout where these cartridges failed to stop the threat repeatedly.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Florida Div of Licensing FS493....

The Florida Div of Licensing, www.mylicensesite.com , regulates the CCWs(Ws) & the private security industry(which includes private investigations).
G(armed or "firearm" license) security officers/PIs can only carry-use the listed four types of weapons in the three handgun calibers; 9x19mm(9mm Luger), .38spl, .380acp.
FMJs are allowed by the DoL for semi-automatic 9mm pistols & the .380acp but not the DA(double action) revolvers. The state agency uses the term; .38 police caliber .
As posted, for G officers, certain kinds of ammunition are not allowed on duty(exploding tip, tracers, exotics like DRT/Glaser Safety Slugs/MagSafe, AP).

As for the reasons or rational, it's difficult to say. I asked a security industry advisory panel directly about the use of "frangibles"(pre fragmented rounds) at a event in 2009 & was informed they(the Div of Licensing officials) thought the QC/standards were not appropriate for security(personal protection) uses.
I'd agree with them to point with such brands as the ExtremeShock USA, LeMas & the newer RIP 9mm but a few others like the Glasers, DRT, MagSafe are better in 2014.

I'd agree too that the sunshine state is s-l-o-w to revise/update these statues even when nearly everyone thinks it's a good idea or needed.

 

[dprice3844444]

they are still in the stone age. one time qualifying , i observed the guard loading the rounds in the mags backwards.

 

[smogmage]

Just for clarification its the "Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services" and their Division of Licensing who has regulatory authority on these issues.

And as a side note they do require a yearly re qualification for G licensees.