Are you seeing Security Guards open carrying after hours???

[Lucky45]

I was wondering if you guys are seeing any Security guards open carrying after regular business hours. If any security guards are on the forum, then I would like to know if any new policies have been implemented since Sept 1. I was just curious because it seems to me that I have not seen hardly any private security guards in uniform in the last couple of months in my usually around the town runs. It used to be quite often that I would run into some. Just wondering.

[txinvestigator]

I was wondering if you guys are seeing any Security guards open carrying after regular business hours. If any security guards are on the forum, then I would like to know if any new policies have been implemented since Sept 1. I was just curious because it seems to me that I have not seen hardly any private security guards in uniform in the last couple of months in my usually around the town runs. It used to be quite often that I would run into some. Just wondering.

Can you specify what you mean by "after business hours"?

Edit; Are you referring to the change in the law that no longer requires a commissioned guard to be proceeding directly to or from his place of assignment in order to lawfully carry his handgun?

That change was made to 1702 of the Occupations Code. Guards cannot put on their uniform and just go out to eat while off duty, or anything of that nature. The way the law was written before, if the guard stopped at the 7/11 on the way to work and carried his gun in, he could be charged.

The legislature simply made it not necessary to be going "directly" to or from, but he still has to be going to or from work to be legal.

[KD5NRH]

If any security guards are on the forum, then I would like to know if any new policies have been implemented since Sept 1.

Policy at mine was always that the company-issued firearms stays in a locked container until you arrive at the client's site. Not really an issue for me either way, since I don't want the uniform on any time I'm off site.

It really makes me wish we had a commissioned site anywhere within an hour of here; it would be amusing to go over the absurdity of locking up my personal CC gun to put on the duty gun, and vice versa.

[Doug.38PR]

I remember about 11 years ago when I was working at Randalls at Dairy Ashford and Memorial in Houston I used to see a security guard walk into the store once or twice a week to do some shopping. He never had a gunbelt on, but he did have a uniform AND a nickle or stainless semi automatic service handgun hanging inside his front waistband.

I mentioned it once to a security guard we had on duty in the store parkinglot, he said he noticed it too and if the guy's supervisor saw it he would get in trouble for carrying in that way without a gunbelt.

[sjones]

I am a security guard at a trucking company and after 2 roberies about 2 month's ago,I started carrying concealed just to have a chance to save my life.I have my ccl but we are supposed to be unarmed on the job.I wouldn't pull it to save the client's property,just to save my own life.BTW,I will retire in 2 weeks so its a moot point.sj

[Lucky45]

I am a security guard at a trucking company and after 2 roberies about 2 month's ago,I started carrying concealed just to have a chance to save my life.I have my ccl but we are supposed to be unarmed on the job.I wouldn't pull it to save the client's property,just to save my own life.BTW,I will retire in 2 weeks so its a moot point.sj

Retiring in 2 weeks !?!! Forget the gun........I would be concealing my entire body. But I think you are already doing it. 2 robberies in 2 months........who's on duty???

Just messing with ya, sjones.

[LarryH]

Retiring in two weeks . . . don't you have some vacation time built up? If so, take it. If not, call in sick (just kidding).

[WildBill]

I spotted two uniformed guards last night at a local gun shop. Both were open carrying. I don't think they were going to work, but no way to know for sure.

[sjones]

You are right lucky.I'm down to 2 days now.Saturday night is my last one and then I'm free.I did my duty for this country back in 66 and 67 for uncle and I'm still here.No employers property is worth my life,luckly those two robberies were done on a sunday and monday nights.Those are my off nights so I wasn't even there,for that I am glad.sj

[Dragonfighter]

Back when I did the patrol thing, that was an odd deal as we were all over the city but we were in a marked car. I often stopped at restaurants where we had posted guards (I doubled as a standing guard supervisor) so going armed was not an issue.

I once went into an IHOP in Richardson and had disarmed, the local PD were there and jumped my stuff about leaving the weapon in the vehicle and what a target my empty holster indicated. They insisted that I was to wear the weapon in when I stopped there. It was Richardson PD policy irrespective of laws to the contrary. It became a very popular place among security guards. they also

There was also a 7-11 was in the middle of a lot of my stops and I used to stop there for coffee, if the PD was in there, they never gave me a second glance.

Just some reminiscinces(sp?) from back in the day.

[txinvestigator]

Back when I did the patrol thing, that was an odd deal as we were all over the city but we were in a marked car. I often stopped at restaurants where we had posted guards (I doubled as a standing guard supervisor) so going armed was not an issue.

I once went into an IHOP in Richardson and had disarmed, the local PD were there and jumped my stuff about leaving the weapon in the vehicle and what a target my empty holster indicated. They insisted that I was to wear the weapon in when I stopped there. It was Richardson PD policy irrespective of laws to the contrary. It became a very popular place among security guards. they also

There was also a 7-11 was in the middle of a lot of my stops and I used to stop there for coffee, if the PD was in there, they never gave me a second glance.

Just some reminiscinces(sp?) from back in the day.

Your experience show the quandary that commissioned guards faced, and why the law needed changing. It was really silly that a guard on lunch on coffee would have to disarm.

[ctxpta]

It is illegal for a security officer IN UNIFORM to carry a concealed handgun!!! This applies to both Commissioned (armed) and Non-Commissioned (unarmed).

[txinvestigator]

It is illegal for a security officer IN UNIFORM to carry a concealed handgun!!! This applies to both Commissioned (armed) and Non-Commissioned (unarmed).

Uhh, OK

[ctxpta]

This was in response to an individual stating that as a uniformed Security Officer he was carrying concealed.

[sjones]

and my answer to that is..so,I have a chnce to fight back if I need to.my life is worth more than a two bit job. sj