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Security guards are allowed to carry on their way to and from work, if they are still in uniform. I seem to recall there was a change in the law to remove the word "directly" from this part of 46.15, just to allow this type of thing. The guards successfully argued that making them disarm to stop for gas or a snack made them a target for the badguys.

In a way, their argument made some sense. They are still a target, but now could possibly fight back. Only time will tell if the change makes any real difference either way (I am betting on no difference, but I just don't see the shooting situations happening that often to anyone, chl's security guards, or cops). I do see it as a step towards loosening up other restrictions if it does work out well.

I doubt Kroger has their own security agency, so lack of Kroger name doesn't mean anything.

Instead, they probably have a contract with a private firm. If so, it would be legal to open carry while working.

Also, Kroger is home to Western Union and some banks. The guard could just as easily have been working for one of them.

I support Open Carry and I love to see it here in TX from those who can at this time.

Russell wrote:I just got back from buying some charcoal at Kroger, and spotted a security officer open carrying in there while buying groceries. There was no visible LEO badge anywhere, and his shirt said "Security Officer" and the name of the company it said he worked for (it was not Kroger).

Client name isn't required on the uniform; only the security company name, officer's last name, and the word "security."

I sometimes wear a client-logo cap, but most of the PD's night shift knows that only one site in the area has nighttime security other than off-duty LE, so it's pretty much unnecessary.

You really have to watch those armed security guards:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hea ... 24896.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I was in college I supervised a patrol division and several standing guards. Back then, we gave "Courtesy Contracts" to strategically placed 7-11s to prevent problems when we went in for coffee or restroom breaks . Also a Richardson IHOP that used to offer 50% discounts, the local PD made it known to the security companies by letter that we were to wear our weapons inside, ostensibly to prevent thefts of weapons and what not. So in the early morning hours, there was a section full of security guards, armed, happily enjoying breakfast.

Kroger has a contract with a "security" firm. Some locations have armed security and some have non-armed security, depends on the community around the area. Armed security is not always placed in stores in bad neighborhoods, but mainly if the communities around the store have written enough requests to main office to have armed security at the store in their neighborhood.
There are other store locations that actually hire off-duty HPD, county Sheriff dept., and State Troopers for their security. All depends on the amount of product walking out the door ( unpaid for ) and how much of a fuss the local community has raised.
Some of the security guards mean business, and some are just there for the paycheck. I've had lots of conversations with several guards, and what I gather is their policy is pretty passive. So don't count on them to be of too much help.
(FYI - I'm not feeding you a line, I am employed by said grocer and visit multiple locations a day.)

JLaw

Sad that as a security officer I carry to and from work but I have to disarm AT work

MadMonkey wrote:Sad that as a security officer I carry to and from work but I have to disarm AT work

Join the club. This has been a quiet site for three years, but there have been two incidents in the last two weeks that required 911 calls. Lucky me; both on my shift. If that doesn't settle back down real quick, I'm going back to looking hard for other work.

Kroger near me started having a security guard recently

I thought I lived in a good neighborhood .. Seems that most or all Krogers now have security

THe guard today was telling the lazy shoppers who park their SUVs right next to the door in fire lane to move thier cars ... I loved seeing that

the guard was wearing a Securitas Uniform - didnt notice if he was armed ...

Securitas Security Services logo looks like this

KD5NRH wrote:

MadMonkey wrote:Sad that as a security officer I carry to and from work but I have to disarm AT work

Join the club. This has been a quiet site for three years, but there have been two incidents in the last two weeks that required 911 calls. Lucky me; both on my shift. If that doesn't settle back down real quick, I'm going back to looking hard for other work.

What really sucks is that they commission us just in case we ever DO get armed

The extent of my excitement has been a lone skateboarder who decided to play on our truck dock. I scared the dickens out of him with the intercom and sent him packing, after I let him jump off the dock "one more time" (we have a creek in the back, if he had gotten hurt I could have just tossed him back there ).

I do like the quiet though. Gives me time to dream up other things to do...

KD5OUP btw

MadMonkey wrote:KD5OUP btw

Must have tested the same day as my wife; KD5OUY

KD5NRH wrote:

MadMonkey wrote:KD5OUP btw

Must have tested the same day as my wife; KD5OUY

What a small world. Makes my call look so young: KE5HHG

A few years ago I had some bad renters - tore the house up in 90 days, never paid past the first month. Hubby was a private/civilian security guard at the Dallas Federal Bldg (he said).
I went over on a sunday to collect or kick them out and they were gone, but had left some stuff behind in their hast to leave.

Stopped back by the next evening after work and they were there, cramming the rest of their stuff into a minivan.
The man was still in his work uniform, still armed. I approached them and told them to leave immediately or I was calling police.
They continued to load, I dialed 911. They left.

I did some checking afterward and I believe he was in violation of the law.
If it happened again, I'd probably mention to 911 that the guy was armed, and perhaps that I am also.
I'd also call his supervisor and discuss after-hours carry rules.