Choosing between armed and unarmed security isn't about wanting the "strongest" option — it's about matching protection to risk. Here's the framework we use with clients every day.
When unarmed guards are the right call
For most businesses — retail centers, offices, residential communities, events — a professional unarmed guard provides everything you need: a visible deterrent, access control, incident response and documentation. Unarmed officers keep insurance costs lower and maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
When to step up to armed protection
Armed guards make sense when the threat profile justifies them: cash-intensive businesses, jewelry and cannabis retail, sites with prior violent incidents, executive protection, and locations in high-crime corridors. The armed presence itself changes the calculation for would-be offenders.
The liability question
Armed coverage carries more liability, which is why licensing and insurance matter so much. Any provider you hire should show you their Private Patrol Operator license, proof of insurance, and their guards' BSIS firearm permits without hesitation. We provide all three with every armed engagement.
Not sure which you need? Talk to us — we'll assess your site honestly, and if unarmed coverage does the job, that's what we'll recommend.