Delaware rule could arm security officers

Dec 12, 2006 2:57 PM

           

Some security and armored car guards could soon be permitted to carry rifles and shotguns during certain emergencies if a new rule is passed in Delaware.

The Use of Rifle and Shotgun Rule, proposed by the Delaware Board of Examiners of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies, would allow security and armored car guards to carry rifles and shotguns when authorized by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner or Col. Thomas MacLeish, superintendent of the Delaware State Police, the Delaware State News reports.

MacLeish is the administrator of the Board of Examiners of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies, the agency that regulates Delaware's private security industry.

Delaware State Police Maj. Randy Hughes, who oversees the board in Col. MacLeish's absence, tells the newspaper that the Use of Rifle and Shotgun Rule is designed to boost protection during dangerous times. "In the world we're living in today, we're dealing with heightened risk factors and security needs," he says. "God forbid if terrorists ever attacked or we needed additional security, (private security guards) would be capable of assisting us."

There are currently two levels of security guards in Delaware, Maj. Hughes says, those permitted to carry handguns and those who are not. Only those already permitted to carry handguns would be eligible to carry rifles and shotguns under the new rule.

And in order to carry the weapons, security and armored car guards would have to be trained by certified firearms instructors, maintain a handgun firearms license through the state, have a good employment record and be listed on a roster of authorized individuals to carry rifles and shotguns. The rule also states that they would have to re-qualify to carry the weapons every three years.

Maj. Hughes said the guards would only be permitted to use the weapons in places where they are contracted to provide security and only in situations deemed necessary by the governor or MacLeish.

According to the rule, situations where such protection would be permitted include response to natural disasters and biological or chemical threats; civil unrest; credible threats to local facilities or operations; a genuine risk to life or property; and when the terror alert is raised to orange or higher by the Department of Homeland Security.

The nine-member board, composed of law enforcement officials, private security officers and community members, will vote on the rule at its quarterly meeting in late January, according to the Delaware State News.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

SUBSCRIBE

Select an Issue April 1, 2008 March 1, 2008 February 1, 2008 January 1, 2008 December 1, 2007 November 1, 2007 October 1, 2007 September 1, 2007 August 1, 2007 July 1, 2007 June 1, 2007 IP Security Supplement May 1, 2007 April 1, 2007 March 1, 2007 February 1, 2007 January 1, 2007 School Security December 1, 2006 November 1, 2006 October 1, 2006 September 1, 2006 August 1, 2006 July 1, 2006 June 1, 2006 May 1, 2006 April 1, 2006 March 1, 2006 February 1, 2006 January 1, 2006 December 1, 2005 November 1, 2005 October 1, 2005 September 1, 2005 August 1, 2005 July 1, 2005 June 1, 2005 May 1, 2005 April 1, 2005 March 1, 2005 February 1, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 1, 2004 November 1, 2004 October 1, 2004 September 1, 2004 August 1, 2004 July 1, 2004 July 1, 2004 June 1, 2004 May 1, 2004 April 1, 2004 March 1, 2004 February 1, 2004 January 1, 2004 December 1, 2003 November 1, 2003 October 1, 2003 September 1, 2003 August 1, 2003 July 1, 2003 June 1, 2003 May 1, 2003 April 1, 2003 March 1, 2003 February 1, 2003 January 1, 2003 December 1, 2002 November 1, 2002 October 1, 2002 September 1, 2002 August 1, 2002 July 1, 2002 June 1, 2002 May 1, 2002 April 1, 2002 March 1, 2002 February 1, 2002 January 1, 2002 December 1, 2001 November 1, 2001 October 1, 2001 September 1, 2001 August 1, 2001 July 1, 2001 June 1, 2001 May 1, 2001 April 1, 2001 March 1, 2001 February 1, 2001 January 1, 2001 December 1, 2000 November 1, 2000 October 1, 2000 September 1, 2000 August 1, 2000 July 1, 2000 June 1, 2000 May 1, 2000 April 1, 2000 March 1, 2000 February 1, 2000 January 1, 2000 December 1, 1999 November 1, 1999 October 1, 1999 September 1, 1999 August 1, 1999 July 1, 1999 June 1, 1999 May 1, 1999 April 1, 1999 March 1, 1999 February 1, 1999 January 1, 1999 December 1, 1998 November 1, 1998 October 1, 1998 September 1, 1998 August 1, 1998 July 1, 1998 June 1, 1998 May 1, 1998 April 1, 1998 March 1, 1998 February 1, 1998 January 1, 1998 December 1, 1997 November 1, 1997 October 1, 1997 September 1, 1997 August 1, 1997 July 1, 1997 June 1, 1997 May 1, 1997 April 1, 1997 March 1, 1997 February 1, 1997 January 1, 1997

This month in Access Control

• Opening Up About Door Closers
• An Enterprise Approach
• The Framework For Open Systems
• On A Higher Plane
• More from April's issue