NCJ Number
93410
Journal
Security World Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1984) Pages: 44-49,51
Date Published
1984
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Professional security directors believe guns to be a problem; some form of tighter control is necessary.
Abstract
This article reports the results of a survey of guns in security. The sample consisted of 495 readers of 'Security World.' There were four parts to the questionnaire, with the first addressing gun-related practices in today's security department. The next three sections asked about the security director's experience with guns on the job, practices off the job, and attitudes about handguns. More than a quarter of all security guards have training in the use of handguns. This indicates advanced planning to train for future needs, and simultaneous restraint in licensing only those who might need to carry a gun, for less than a quarter are so licensed. While the numbers indicate the relative safety of working as a security guard, the very real nature of the potential threat to life would suggest that guards are interested in personal protection equipment, especially bullet-proof clothing. Only 2.6 percent now wear such clothing. Security directors are familiar with handguns. More than half have carried a gun. On-the-job practice appears to be influenced by personal experience. Those who have been victims of violent crimes are more likely to carry guns than nonvictims. By a two-to-one margin, security directors believe availability of handguns is a problem. Among handgun owners, this ration was slightly less than two-to-one. A bare majority feel sure that guns on guards help deter crime, while the same slim margin is concerned that too may guards carry guns. Three tables and 13 graphs are included.