When to Take the Shot: Critical Decision Making for Security Guards
The Legal Framework
Security guards operate under the same legal standards as private citizens when it comes to using deadly force. You must reasonably believe that you or another person faces an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. "Imminent" is the key word, the threat must be happening now, not potentially in the future.
Most jurisdictions require three elements before deadly force is justified:
- Ability: The attacker has the means to cause death or serious injury
- Opportunity: The attacker is positioned to use that means immediately
- Jeopardy: The attacker's actions demonstrate intent to cause harm
A suspect running away, even after committing a crime, almost never justifies deadly force. Property crimes, vandalism, or theft do not meet the threshold for lethal response, regardless of what your employer might prefer.
The Practical Reality
Taking a shot under stress is nothing like range practice. Your heart rate spikes, fine motor skills deteriorate, and tunnel vision sets in. Studies show that even trained police officers hit their intended target less than 30% of the time in actual confrontations. Every round you fire has a potential backstop; a wall, a vehicle, or an innocent bystander.
Before drawing your weapon, ask yourself: Can I retreat? Can I use cover? Can I de-escalate verbally? Armed security doesn't mean you must engage, sometimes the most professional response is creating distance and calling for police backup.
When You Must Act
There are scenarios where hesitation costs lives. An active shooter targeting civilians, a violent assault in progress, or an imminent threat against someone unable to defend themselves may require immediate action. In these moments, your training should take over:
- Identify your target and what's beyond it
- Use available cover
- Issue verbal commands if time allows
- Fire center mass until the threat stops
- Immediately call for emergency services
Remember that "stopping the threat" means exactly that, once the person is no longer capable of causing harm, you must cease fire. Continuing to shoot an incapacitated person transforms self-defense into homicide.
The Aftermath
If you discharge your weapon, your life changes instantly. You'll face investigation, potential civil lawsuits, and psychological trauma regardless of whether your actions were justified. Many guards who've been in shootings struggle with PTSD, guilt, and professional consequences.
This isn't meant to discourage necessary action, it's meant to ensure you understand the weight of the decision. Document everything, cooperate with investigators through legal counsel, and seek professional mental health support.
The Bottom Line
Your firearm is a last resort, not a first option. The best security guards are those who prevent violence through vigilance, communication, and smart positioning, not those who've fired the most rounds. Train regularly, know your legal limits, and remember that your primary job is protecting life, including your own.
If you're in a situation where you're unsure whether deadly force is justified, it probably isn't. When it truly is necessary, you'll know, because no other option exists to prevent imminent death or grievous harm.