Do You Need Armed or Unarmed Security Guards?

When you hire security guards, a major decision is whether you opt for guards that are armed or unarmed. Both types of security guards offer protection, but there are several factors that impact whether guards need a weapon to do their job successfully.

Needs

If your business requires a visible security presence but does not need lethal force, unarmed guards get the job done. The goal, always, is to deter crime, maintain order, and monitor access points.

A professional security presence often deters criminal activity, and an unarmed guard has power by their presence alone, armed or unarmed. By monitoring surveillance systems, overseeing entrances and exits, checking identification, and more, the environment remains covered by essential protection.

Risks

If your business or building has been the target of threats in the past, armed security guards are a necessity. Since existing problems have likely increased concerns about repeat incidents, an armed security professional can make you feel better about the safety of your premises, people, and proprietary information.

Businesses that operate in a relatively safe area and have not received threats or suffered vandalism are usually in great shape with uniformed guards standing watch and keeping order. No matter where you are located, complete a location risk profile with your security guard company to get a true look at security needs, crime rates, and potential threats in your area.

Budget

Unarmed guards are a cost-effective security solution for businesses that don’t have a big budget. Even without carrying a weapon, unarmed guards are an affordable option that delivers on the powerful presence of someone in uniform.

Armed guards may take a bigger bite of your budget because they require special training to carry and handle a weapon and manage serious threats. They must be licensed to carry a firearm and complete a set number of training hours. The practice is meticulous and covers all manner of shooting, safety, self-defense, weapons retention, and legalities that surround the possession of a weapon.

Location

If you feel your location needs an armed guard to deliver strength and intimidation, then those are the security guards you need. Often, though, offices, residential buildings, retailers, and low-risk environments benefit from unarmed guards alone.

Armed security guards offer enhanced protection in high-risk areas. Their presence sends a strong message and is a deterrent to criminals who fear a guard’s power to respond to intense security threats. Armed guards are often found in banks, jewelry stores, and patrolling high-risk businesses.

Reputation

Having armed guards on the premises is something your patrons or employees may never see if they’re working after hours. However, when the guard is visible or there is someone stationed at your place of business 24/7, your brand is affected.

It’s important to consider how you’ll be perceived by customers, neighbors, and the community. The ideal is to provide the highest amount of adequate security without intimidating the wrong people. Contact Korner Security for a customized security plan and to discuss the benefits of an armed guard for your establishment.