Holidays: Contracting yourself out as Armed Escort?

[Guest WyattEarp]

Generally around the holidays, there's an increase in thefts, burglaries, robberies, and being being victimized when they're out doing Christmas shopping or bargain hunting.

Can you legally contract yourself out to escort someone while they are out shopping?

For instance, if someone wants to go shopping and wants the extra security and added comfort of knowing they can make it from the store to their car and then home without being robbed or someone trying to steal the items they just bought or demanding money and they want to pay you $20 or whatever is agreed upon to accompany them while they do their shopping, and you have your permit and are carrying. Is that legal? Aside from following the laws and places that are posted, I can't think of anything off the top of my head that would suggest you can't do this.

It would only be temporary thing, not something full time, just to help provided a little added peace of mind for those interested and willing to pay.

I had someone I know ask me to do this, and before I do I want to make sure that it's not illegal or I don't need anything special like a license. After I was asked, I thought it might be a decent idea to make a little extra holiday cash.

[JimmyMac483]

I am not sure but my guess is that if you are being paid then you would need an armed security license. Just a guess though.

[Mdunntn]

Just accompany them and they can "gift" you the money. No reason to treat it as an actual contract.

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[R_Bert]

Just accompany them and they can "gift" you the money. No reason to treat it as an actual contract.

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Personally, I would think liability issues would outweigh any benefit, but....that said,

giftcards, not cash or checks.

[Guest WyattEarp]

I am not sure but my guess is that if you are being paid then you would need an armed security license. Just a guess though.

well I wondered about that, and the only thing I could find in regards to that was if you're hired and staffed by a business as security, it didn't say anything about someone hiring you privately

Private Protective Services - Armed Security Officer/Guard Requirements

[Guest pfries]

This is where I think they could get you well the person that hired you.

Private Protective Services - Armed Security Officer/Guard Requirements

"Proprietary Security Organization" means any person or department thereof which employs a security guard/officer solely for such person in an employer/employee relationship.

It is unlawful for any person to act as a proprietary security organization without first having notified the commissioner in writing.

Business Information

• Full name of business.
  
• Mailing address for business.
  
• Physical address of business.
  
• Type and number of guards the business intends to hire:
  
  • Unarmed
    
  • Armed
    (AND/OR)
    
  • Full-time sworn peace officers
    

Qualifying Manager Information

• Full name of Qualifying Manager.
  
• Business address of Qualifying Manager.
  
• Residence address of Qualifying Manager.
  

A Certificate of Insurance that meets the requirements of:

• T.C.A. 62-35-114 [pdf]
  

Renewals

• PSO Registrations do not expire, as long as the Proprietary Security Organization maintains a Certificate of Insurance that meets the requirements set in T.C.A. 62-35-114.
  

[Glock30]

Clearly, it's not charity work. If it walks like an armed guard and talks like an armed guard, then it is an armed guard. Need the license accordingly; the employer - for any length of time - has to go through way more paperwork than its worth.

[TMF]

If you end up having to perform any immediate action functions as armed security whilst out and about you'll both be screwed. It doesn't pass the sniff test.

[Parrothead]

If you end up having to perform any immediate action functions as armed security whilst out and about you'll both be screwed. It doesn't pass the sniff test.

and now the whole situation is posted on the web.............

[redstategunnut]

I know times are tough, but I just can't see putting myself in harm's way to prevent the theft of someone else's new DeWalt drill for $20/hour. If you can work it out, go in peace, brother.

[DaveTN]

Acting as an armed security guard when you have absolutely no training is a recipe for disaster. I would guess that’s why we have laws and licensing addressing it.

[BimmerFreak]

I know times are tough, but I just can't see putting myself in harm's way to prevent the theft of someone else's new DeWalt drill for $20/hour. If you can work it out, go in peace, brother.

Maybe not for a 18V, but have you seen the new 20V drills? 20 Volts of pure awesome!

[JayC]

Acting as an armed security guard when you have absolutely no training is a recipe for disaster. I would guess that’s why we have laws and licensing addressing it.

I just looked over the 'training' material... then called a buddy of mine who has one... It's only slightly more 'tough' than the HCP course here... I'm not sure it's a significant hurdle that would prevent just about any of us from taking the course and passing it.

The licensing around it is more corporate welfare for gun ranges and instructors, and taxes hidden as fees in keeping the license... It's not there to protect us.

[Smith]

The bonding and insurance required by law is your biggest deterrent.

[Guest WyattEarp]

thanks for the input guys. more hassle than it's worth.

[Mike.357]

I think you knew the answer before you posed the question, LOL

[mikegideon]

I think you knew the answer before you posed the question, LOL

I really hope so.

[Guest WyattEarp]

I think you knew the answer before you posed the question, LOL

I wasn't quite sure. there's a big difference in someone who would only be doing it for a month, as opposed to someone who did it every day, and it was a grey area and I wanted a second opinion. that's why we ask questions when there's doubt, so we don't find ourselves as someone once put it, in another one of my threads, "in the hoosegow"

[Fallguy]

I wasn't quite sure. there's a big difference in someone who would only be doing it for a month, as opposed to someone who did it every day, and it was a grey area and I wanted a second opinion. that's why we ask questions when there's doubt, so we don't find ourselves as someone once put it, in another one of my threads, "in the hoosegow"

I semi understand but....not sure how length of time would have had anything to do with it....

If you are going to drive, practice medicine, practice law, sell insurance and many other things...even if only for a day...you still need the appropriate lisence....

[JayC]

The bonding and insurance required by law is your biggest deterrent.

ie corporate welfare.

[Guest LesBear]

Andrew....most malls are posted property anyway guy. I think green hills and the closed Opry mills area the only 2 not posted.

[DaveTN]

ie corporate welfare.

Bonding and insurance isn’t corporate welfare. Do you think it is reasonable for someone that just got their HCP and bought their first gun a couple of months ago to hire themselves out as a hired gun?

I needed a tree cut down in my front yard. I had a couple of people stop by. The first thing I ask was if they were bonded or insured. I don’t want someone that just bought a new chainsaw and wants to try it out to drop a tree on my house. If they do; I want to know that it will be covered by insurance.

I doubt a good marketing plan would be “I have zero experience in security or personal protection, but for $20 bucks I’ll carry a gun around youâ€. A security firms training may not be much better, but at least they have insurance if something bad happens.

[Guest WyattEarp]

Andrew....most malls are posted property anyway guy. I think green hills and the closed Opry mills area the only 2 not posted.

i

if you're going to address me by my name on the forum, I'd appreciate it if you'd call me Drew. I haven't gone by Andrew in over a year, if not, then address me by my forum screen name.

thanks

and shopping isn't restricted to Malls only, Wal-mart, Toys R Us, shops downtown, and you don't even have to go in. You could wait for them outside, and accompany them to their car.

but besides the point, I'm not doing it, too much red tape involved for me. by the time I took the course, went through the training, and got a license, the holidays would be long gone.

[JayC]

Bonding and insurance isn’t corporate welfare. Do you think it is reasonable for someone that just got their HCP and bought their first gun a couple of months ago to hire themselves out as a hired gun?

I needed a tree cut down in my front yard. I had a couple of people stop by. The first thing I ask was if they were bonded or insured. I don’t want someone that just bought a new chainsaw and wants to try it out to drop a tree on my house. If they do; I want to know that it will be covered by insurance.

I doubt a good marketing plan would be “I have zero experience in security or personal protection, but for $20 bucks I’ll carry a gun around youâ€. A security firms training may not be much better, but at least they have insurance if something bad happens.

Me choosing to purchase a bond, insurance, or self insuring my business is great, I personally like insurance... The government requiring insurance or a bond is a form of corporate welfare... it costs money and only government approved insurance companies or bond companies can provide you those products... and there is a cost related to that government mandated insurance.

I think customers who need protective services are smart enough to look for somebody with more training than the person you're using as an example. Why do we need the government pre-screening for us? I'm not able to check to make sure the security person/company I hire has insurance and what I consider proper training?

There maybe a market for low cost armed security... as long as the security guard doesn't commit fraud, why can't I as an informed consumer choose who I'm going to hire to perform my security?

[Mike.357]

I'm not doing it

best four words you posted in this thread dude