I Have An Interview For A Security Firm Tomorrow

I would say the necessity of carry would depend on the type of work. Is it an alarm company and would you be doing installations, monitoring from a central location or is it a rent-a-cop position?

I'd guess that they will clearly define their expectations when you're hired. In my experience companies want to know if you have a CCW permit, because it gets them out of doing a criminal background check.

Idk about wherever you will be working but I got fired by securitas for carrying on the job. I knew it was against policy, I just didn't care.

I was carrying a P3AT on an ankle holster, the mag popped out and I didn't notice it but the lady guard I was training saw it fall out and reported me. I was fired later that day. I sold that damn P3AT about a week later.

If you're gonna carry at work I would suggest a small revolver or auto in one of those holster shirts that 5.11 sells. Just be prepared to lose your job of they catch you.

I did private contract security for nearly 16 years (1978 - 1994 Armed /Unarmed Security Officer, Private Investigator/Detective). I was armed most of the time and had a concealed carry permit for about half of the time. The reason they would like to know is that it makes you more flexible in job assignments. If you did not have a permit then they could not send you on an assignment that required concealed carry. Remember the client usually determines the requirements for the job assignment, and the security company finds a person to fill those requirements.

Securitas is a contract security company. Some of their posts require the security officer to be armed, and they will provide a security guard gun permit and a gun. Most of their posts are unarmed and you will NOT be allowed to carry. As has been stated previously you will be fired for carry. Your pay will also depend on what contract you are working, some like walmart will pay little to nothing, others like a chemical plant/secure facility will pay much better.

I know this because a friend of mine was a shift supervisor for Securitas for about 3 years. He got tired of the B.S. they kept giving him and he left for greener pastures. Keep an open mind with them, you might do well there, but remember that you are easily replaced.

As the others have been stated, carrying without permission in writing will get you canned. I worked for PGS, which is owned by Securitas, for almost four years, primarily at an armed site. Those occasions I worked for an unarmed site (for far lower pay, natch), were unhappy days for me, since the threat profile was arguably just as high.

Do what you have to do to make ends meet, and move on to a different career field as soon as possible.

I applied for a job with a "Security Company" for a job on an armored car detail. You were required to pass all the tests, etc. , but were NOT allowed ANY live ammo in your weapon on an armored truck.
I'll pass on the "carry an empty gun" to protect someone else's money.

No live ammo...heck no.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

A job is a job... But.
Do some Internet detective-ry... Lotsa disgruntled former employees... Look up how Securitas treated the military working dogs they had for the gov't... Really sickening.
I know of a securitas site near me where the guards are forbidden even a pocket knife.
It's all about liability...

Secuirtas doesn't have a great rep. It's rep is like Vector Marketing's rep, only Securitas really does deserve its reputation

P.S.: Don't mention job and such by name on gun board. A poster at TFL was disqualified for a job because he mentioned getting the job on the website. A search was done and he got the shaft.

I second the comment on reviewing a company first....

Even worse than getting fired for carrying, imagine you actually use it in a defensive encounter. You feel legitimately threatened, so you draw, bad guy runs away. Sues your company for.....whatever. The company is forced to state that you were carrying on your own, against policy, now you will be fighting with them over who is liable. Since you violated company policies, they will likely throw you to the wolves.

If you are required to carry, it will be a stainless S&W which they will provide.

On a more practical note, security jobs suck. Now I just went through a stretch of unemployment myself, but I would have to be REALLY desperate to work security again. You are loved by NO ONE. I really mean that. The only reason you are there is to allow the company to get a better rate on their insurance. They do NOT appreciate the work you are doing. If you actually prevent an injury or point out something that is unsafe, it is more money out of their pocket and more paperwork. If you are effective, and everything gets boring, they hate you even more because they think there is no reason to have you there in the first place. They are mad that they can't make you fold pamphlets in your downtime. And just wait until you ever have to confront any employee about anything as a 'non-cop'. Do what you have to man, but I would look HARD for something else.

LB do what you got to do to take care of your family. But keep looking my friend, you deserve better, God Bless.
Doc

I have worked for two security companies, and carried at both. One of them was armed the other was not. For the unarmed, I just concealed in a 5.11 holster shirt. If I carry when I'm out at night on my own time, why shouldn't I carry when I'm out at night for someone else? I know, it might have gotten me fired, but it's my life. A job is just a job.

On a more practical note, security jobs suck.

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True, but not for all. "Security" can range from $8.00 rent-a-cop jobs that are just as you say, to Blackwater and other contracting companies who carry M4s and can make 6 figures on the job. Many nuclear power plants, federal buildings, and hospitals use private armed security, and they have significaly higher quality people and training.

Any nuclear power plants or federal buildings near you?

True, but not for all. "Security" can range from $8.00 rent-a-cop jobs that are just as you say, to Blackwater and other contracting companies who carry M4s and can make 6 figures on the job. Many nuclear power plants, federal buildings, and hospitals use private armed security, and they have significaly higher quality people and training.

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This is absolutely correct. My company does everything from $8.00/hr Wal-Mart parking lots to $25.00/hr executive protection details. That's the guard pay BTW, not the bill rate. You can imagine how much the high end guys make when they work on a disaster coverage team.. that's pretty much pure over time.

One thing to consider about carrying a concealed weapon on duty other than it will most certainly get you fired if you are doing so without direct authorization, it may be illegal where you are. Here in TX where we are based, a lvl II officer may not carry any firearms, a lvl III may carry a firearm in plain sight and a lvl IV officer may carry one concealed or in plain sight. Having a CHL does not change that. So, check your local laws carefully in case it effects you while you are on the job.

Also, don't mistake place that don't allow you to carry on the job for being anti-gun. When they put you in uniform and put you on post, they assume a huge financial liability. If you were to shoot someone while on the job, the company would be financially responsible for that. Without being certain of your training and capabilities, they would have to be epically stupid to allow you to carry a firearm. That's why I don't allow new hires to be armed, no matter what your resume or qualifications say. New guards work for us for several months before they are considered for an armed position.

ClickClickD'oh said:

One thing to consider about carrying a concealed weapon on duty other than it will most certainly get you fired if you are doing so without direct authorization, it may be illegal where you are. Here in TX where we are based, a lvl II officer may not carry any firearms, a lvl III may carry a firearm in plain sight and a lvl IV officer may carry one concealed or in plain sight. Having a CHL does not change that. So, check your local laws carefully in case it effects you while you are on the job.

Also, don't mistake place that don't allow you to carry on the job for being anti-gun. When they put you in uniform and put you on post, they assume a huge financial liability. If you were to shoot someone while on the job, the company would be financially responsible for that. Without being certain of your training and capabilities, they would have to be epically stupid to allow you to carry a firearm. That's why I don't allow new hires to be armed, no matter what your resume or qualifications say. New guards work for us for several months before they are considered for an armed position.

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This.

My gf is a lvl 4 security guard here in DFW and I've asked her about some of the specifics of that.

I can't throw any trustworthy info out there, but I know it'd be illegal for her to carry if she had anything below level 3 and she is forbidden from carrying a knife. Though the knife bit is a company matter, rather than legal.

Back in my young buck days I did a few years as an armed security officer and supervisor in VA. I never worked unarmed but we had a couple unarmed contracts. The managers at those places encouraged the armed certified SOs to arm up anyway, corporate just didn't want to pay extra for armed SOs.
I wouldn't take a job that sent me out unarmed, or with any screwy rules like "no bullets" and whatnot. YMMV.