Epic Fail Observation Today

[DRYHUMOR]

Just an observation, but I also wondered about the leadership of the organization- or lack thereof.

I had to go onto a private island today for work. The private armed security guard, at the gate, had 2" nails glued onto her fingertips. I wondered as I eyed her Glock, exactly how she intended to operate the weapon effectively. I just couldn't see it happening.

Then I started wondering if the leadership had any idea of the consequences of letting the situation remain in place. Granted, BG's may not take over the golf course....or kidnap someone..... or would they?

I actually considered saying something, but figured it may fall on deaf ears.

I'm not bashing, so please don't either. But it just struck me as so "what's the point", I just had to vent a bit.

Most of the security folks I deal with coming and going are really on the ball and professional.

 

[uspJ]

Most of the security folks I deal with coming and going are really on the ball and professional.

If your talking about real professional security I agree completely. If your talking about the usual rent-a-cops then they must hire a higher caliber of people in your area then what I've seen. I would put most of them that work as retail, hospital, pharmacies and armored car security on the same level as your average McDonald's employee.

Most I've seen of the low paying rent-a-cops where slackers looking for a job with minimal physical activity. They were not aware of the goings on of the places they were hired to guard and seemed to act inconvenienced if they had to do their job.

I've met private security professionals before, most were former military and or leo. They acted much more professional, courteous and eager to make sure that they knew exactly what was going on.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I agree when it comes to security you get what you pay for.

 

[David E]

If it's like some security companies, she may not have ever fired that Glock. Sometimes, the gun STAYS ON POST, and is passed on to the next shift. A gun, it seems, is nothing more than a talisman to some people.......even to people that should know better.

 

[9mmepiphany]

This perked my curiosity because it sound so outrageous. 2" nails would be half the length of my index finger, which means that if she were armed with a Glock 19 and her finger were along side the frame, above the trigger guard, that the end of her nail would be pass the muzzle. Plus nails that long would usually curve. Are you sure they were that long?

I'm curious because I've known some very serious men who retired from her majesty's service and were working as private contractors who had long nails...but only a bit over 1/2" long (beyond the tip of their fingers)...who said they didn't have any problems operating their H&K MP-5s or Sig 226s...it was a weapons class

I've also met Sir Jackie Steward the former World Champion Formula 1 driver who liked to grow his fingernails long...but he was almost OCD about them being clean...and he never had a problem with them when he shot on the Olympic Shotgun team.

While 2" mails would be excessive, if they don't interfere with using a gun, who's business is it. I should add that these men did not have glued on nails, they were natural and manicured

 

[Shadow 7D]

When I was in the army there was a civilian secretary who had nails like that, was a hoot seeing her try to remove staples, but they were interesting, she had new paint/pattern at least twice a week and still typed faster than me.

Pulling a gun, hate to have her are around, she was a, not nice person, when she broke one, and that would be a reality for a armed security guard.

 

[killchain]

Yeah!

Let's regulate what kind of nails women wear based on their professions!

All sarcasm aside, this is why you should protect yourself.

I mean, seriously, how many men have you seen who are carrying a pistol and didn't look like they could run a fever, let alone 50 feet?

 

[DRYHUMOR]

"This perked my curiosity because it sound so outrageous. 2" nails would be half the length of my index finger, which means that if she were armed with a Glock 19 and her finger were along side the frame, above the trigger guard, that the end of her nail would be pass the muzzle. Plus nails that long would usually curve. Are you sure they were that long?"

They had to be, from the cuticle to the tip, so maybe 1 1/2 from the tip of the finger pad to the end of the nail.

"If it's like some security companies, she may not have ever fired that Glock. Sometimes, the gun STAYS ON POST, and is passed on to the next shift. A gun, it seems, is nothing more than a talisman to some people.......even to people that should know better."

I hadn't thought of that until I read this, I can see that being the case.

"Most I've seen of the low paying rent-a-cops where slackers looking for a job with minimal physical activity. They were not aware of the goings on of the places they were hired to guard and seemed to act inconvenienced if they had to do their job."

Could be. I've been to this area 3 times. I've seen 3 different personality types in doing so. If I were paying for security, and had no training in the rudimentary requirements to protect myself and family..... I'd be very afraid at some point in time.

Though I realize, the uniform does it for most. I don't even see the uniforms much anymore. My observations key onto the individual in the uniform. How they act, the questions they ask, the details they note. In about 30 sec to 2 minutes, you can reach a decision as the the caliber of the person in the function.

I've been around the slackers and the ones authorized (trained and expected, if need be) to use force. It just really gets me, that for for someone to place a weapon on their person (whether a pass on or not) that they haven't a clue as to the responsibilty involved, not only to themselves, but to the clients.

 

[rbernie]

how many men have you seen who are carrying a pistol and didn't look like they could run a fever, let alone 50 feet?

True. And if we had an EPIC FAIL thread every time that we saw some morbidly obese armed male security guard, the board would be clogged with 'em.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've been around the slackers and the ones authorized (trained and expected, if need be) to use force. It just really gets me, that for for someone to place a weapon on their person (whether a pass on or not) that they haven't a clue as to the responsibilty involved, not only to themselves, but to the clients.

It is a little scary and does reinforce the thought that you are the only one responsible for your own safety and need to be aware of your surroundings.

I just had a friend who just got her CCW...yes, in the capitol of CA...who was attending her CCW class, which is the same class attended for armed security guards. She became concerned enough to text me, because of her classmate's attire (sagging pants) and their lack of muzzle awareness. I had to remind her that it was just another hurdle to her CCW and the payoff was worth it.

 

[Mr.Davis]

True. And if we had an EPIC FAIL thread every time that we saw some morbidly obese armed male security guard, the board would be clogged with 'em.

I don't know of anyone morbidly obese enough that they couldn't draw and fire a pistol.

It sounds like the woman in the post above would have difficulty even getting her finger into the trigger guard because of a fashion decision.

 

[ForumSurfer]

While 2" mails would be excessive, if they don't interfere with using a gun, who's business is it.

My girlfriend shoots my 19 fine with fingernails that extend 1/2" or more beyond her fingertips. It all depends on how the shooter trains imo

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't know of anyone morbidly obese enough that they couldn't draw and fire a pistol.

However, I have been to a class where a student couldn't re-holster without sweeping himself and at one point he dropped his gun when he missed his holster...it's tough when you can't see it.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Surfer, HUGE difference between something that still lets you use the end of you finger (with some difficulty) and wolverines talons of death (or in this case, fashion)

Take a Popsicle stick, tape a 2" piece to you fingers and see if you can DRAW your weapon

I'm pretty sure she could eventually pull the trigger, but I also sure that pulling the weapon would take time too. As for regulating nails, EVERY FORCE THAT EXPECTS TO FIGHT DOES IT, look up military reg, ask your local cops...

 

[DRYHUMOR]

"It is a little scary and does reinforce the thought that you are the only one responsible for your own safety and need to be aware of your surroundings."

Words to live and survive by.

The older I get, the more crazy/stupid/asinine things I see. Sometimes it gets to me a little. Thanks all for allowing me a slight vent.

 

[possum]

this reminds me of the security folks at the various military posts, (the civilian kind), they do not give me a warm and fuzzy when i come through the gate.

Addtionally when i was at Ft. Riley i trained and assisted many of them to be able to pass thier qualification. I would be out at range 9 and hear someone say something to the effect of "this gun is not working", or "this is a pos" or "the sights are off". since the security of the post and the families on it could possibly be in the hands of these people i had an intrest in them being profecient. so i assited 1 here, and there, and that turned into a few every weekend etc.

 

[Deanimator]

Seems no less professional than the Cook County, Illinois Sheriff's Deputy I saw in downtown Chicago in the '70s, wearing wobbly platform "disco" shoes, with one of the heels about to come off. It was a wonder he could walk in them, much less chase... or flee from someone in them.

 

[mbt2001]

Read this post and tell me how different some of these comments are than the anti-gunner's sentiments.