Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0780 - Commerce and Insurance
Subtitle 0780-05 - Division of Regulatory Boards
Chapter 0780-05-02 - Private Protective Services
Section 0780-05-02-.15 - AUTHORIZED WEAPONS

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0780-05-02-.15

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Firearms- The holder of a valid armed security guard/officer registration card may carry a firearm in the performance of duties only if:

(a) The security guard has qualified pursuant to T.C.A. § 62-35-118(b)(2) in the use of such firearm. The security guard must be qualified by a certified trainer for each firearm used in the security guard's employment;

(b) The firearm is a standard .38, .32, .357, 9mm, 10mm, .40, or .45 caliber revolver or semiautomatic pistol, standard 12 gauge shotgun, or other firearm approved by the Commissioner; and

(c) The firearm is carried pursuant to a written directive issued in accordance with T.C.A. §§39-6-1702 and 62-35-131 by the appropriate law enforcement official in the county of the security guard's company's permanent business address. An armed security guard/officer shall not work unless he/she is in possession of a valid written directive. A handgun carry permit issued by the Department of Safety is not acceptable to fulfill this requirement.

(d) No unarmed security guard/officer shall carry a firearm on their person while in a security uniform or acting in the role of a security guard/officer regardless of whether or not such individual possesses a handgun carry permit issued by the Department of Safety.

(2) Other Weapons - A security guard/officer may carry a baton, a stun-gun or a chemical spray only if:

(a) The security guard/officer has successfully completed the appropriate training for the use of the weapon as established by this rule;

(b) The security guard/officer carries on his or her person a card signed by a trainer certified by the Commissioner to conduct such training to the effect that the security guard/officer has successfully completed the training required to carry the weapon which was administered by the trainer.

(c) The security guard/officer has obtained authorization from the contract security company or proprietary security organization which employs the security guard/officer.

(3) Prior to carrying a baton, a security guard/officer shall complete a minimum of four (4) hours of training administered by a trainer who has been certified by the Commissioner to train security guards/officers in the use of the baton. Such training shall consist of instruction in the proper use of a baton and the liabilities associated with the use of the baton.

(4) Prior to carrying chemical spray, a security guard/officer shall complete a minimum of four (4) hours of training administered by a trainer who has been certified by the Commissioner to train security guards/officers in the use of chemical spray. Such training shall consist of instruction in the proper use of chemical spray and the liabilities associated with the use of chemical spray.

(5) Prior to carrying a stun gun, a security guard/officer shall complete a minimum of four (4) hours of training administered by a trainer who has been certified by the Commissioner to train security guards/officers in the use of stun guns. Such training shall consist of instruction in the proper use of a stun gun and the liabilities associated with the use of the stun gun.

(6) A security guard/officer who after November 1, 1994 received four (4) hours of training covering the use a nonlethal weapon identified in this rule may continue to use the weapon without undergoing retraining only if:

(a) The trainer who provided the training is approved by the Commissioner to administer the type of weapons training provided to the security guard/officer; and

(b) The trainer, after having been approved by the Commissioner to administer the type of training provided to the security guard/officer, furnishes the security guard/officer with a card on which the trainer certifies that the security guard/officer has received the training required by this rule to carry the weapon.

(7) A security guard/officer may not possess any type of weapon that is not provided for by this rule while acting as a security guard/officer.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-35-129(b), 62-35-125, 62-35-131(b), and 62-35-134(c)(4).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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