With the number of armed security guards on the rise, experts are calling for more training to prevent incidents such as the shooting of a
suspected shoplifter by a Kroger guard last week in Columbus, Ohio.
An estimated 30 percent of security guards carry guns, according to the Department of Commerce. The agency regulated security guards until last week when the Department of Public Safety took over."Since Sept. 11, we've seen an increase in the number of security guards authorized to carry firearms," Dennis Ginty, a department spokesman, told Knight-Ridder News.
Security guards may carry a handgun after 20 hours of training, an amount that could come under scrutiny by the Department of Public Safety. Police officers are required to have 60 hours of firearms training.
"It's been 10 years since the last update or review of the current regulations of the oversight of the industry, so there are likely to be changes," says Liz Christopher, agency spokeswoman.
Kroger says it will continue to employ armed security guards in its stores. Kroger has not decided whether it will continue to use Shamrock Security Corp., whose guards have fired guns three times this year at Kroger stores.
An estimated 30 percent of security guards carry guns, according to the Department of Commerce. The agency regulated security guards until last week when the Department of Public Safety took over."Since Sept. 11, we've seen an increase in the number of security guards authorized to carry firearms," Dennis Ginty, a department spokesman, told Knight-Ridder News.
Security guards may carry a handgun after 20 hours of training, an amount that could come under scrutiny by the Department of Public Safety. Police officers are required to have 60 hours of firearms training.
"It's been 10 years since the last update or review of the current regulations of the oversight of the industry, so there are likely to be changes," says Liz Christopher, agency spokeswoman.
Kroger says it will continue to employ armed security guards in its stores. Kroger has not decided whether it will continue to use Shamrock Security Corp., whose guards have fired guns three times this year at Kroger stores.
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