FIREARMS AND THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IN CANADA

• NCJ Number: 61732
• Author(s): P C STENNING
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 114 pages
• Corporate Author: Canada Solicitor General
• Sale Source: Canada Solicitor General
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

RESULTS OF AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON FIREARM USE WITHIN THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IN CANADA ARE PRESENTED WITH DISCUSSION OF THE LEGAL CONTROLS OVER THIS ASPECT OF SECURITY WORK.

Abstract

AS PART OF A PROCESS TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL OF CANADA, DATA FROM INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED IN 13 CITIES AND STATISTICS FROM LOCAL REGISTRARS WERE EXAMINED. CONVERSATIONS WITH ALMOST 100 PEOPLE AIDED IN THE VERIFICATION OF DATA DERIVED FROM THE PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES CONCERNING FIREARMS USE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE LOCALIZED FRAMEWORK OF CANADIAN FIREARM LAWS, THEY PROVIDE ONLY AN INCOMPLETE PICTURE OF THE EXTENT OF FIREARM USE. ANALYSIS OF CANADIAN LAWS INDICATES THE NEED FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE CRIMINAL CODE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE FIREARM PERMITS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SECURITY PERSONNEL CARRY THE WEAPONS OFF THE PREMISES TO WHICH THE FIREARMS WERE REGISTERED. ALTHOUGH THE TRADITIONAL ARMING OF BANK EMPLOYEES WANED DURING THE 1970'S, ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL ARE FREQUENTLY EMPLOYED BY BANKS AND STORES. PRIVATE COMPANIES COMMONLY EQUIP THEIR GUARDS WITH SHOTGUNS AND REVOLVERS; AUTOMATIC WEAPONS ARE USED BY SOME ARMORED CAR AGENCIES. THE STATUTE SHOULD PROHIBIT ISSUANCE OF PERMITS FOR FULLY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS FOR PRIVATE SECURITY PURPOSES, RESTRICTING SUCH DEVICES TO LICENSED DEALERS AND COLLECTORS. PROVINCIAL POLICIES TOWARD ARMED SECURITY FORCES RANGE FROM CENTRALIZED REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS TO UNSTRUCTURED REGULATION BY THE MOUNTED POLICE. SECURITY GUARDS SHOULD BE LIMITED IN THEIR USE OF FIREARMS WHEN PROVIDING GENERAL SURVEILLANCE AND PROTECTION. HOWEVER, LICENSES MAY BE ISSUED TO COMPANIES ENGAGED IN PROTECTING VALUABLES OR IN PROVIDING UNIFORMED ESCORT DUTIES. TRAINING MUST BE A REQUIREMENT FOR ISSUANCE OF WEAPONS PERMITS TO SECURITY PERSONNEL. EXAMPLES OF TRAINING COURSES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ACTUAL FIREARMS USE BY GUARDS AND INVESTIGATORS ARE PRESENTED. SOME ADJUSTMENTS OF THE CANADIAN LAW WOULD BENEFIT THE PUBLIC, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND THE SECURITY INDUSTRY. (TWK)