takes aim at private security guns

The argument that these proposals could 'derail private security' fails to acknowledge the serious problems that have persisted in the industry.

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In fact, better regulation stands to professionalise the industry including shopping malls, restaurants, taxi ranks, cemeteries, stadiums, churches, hospitals, schools and "any other similar public establishments".

'Dangerous misinterpretation'

GFSA's Taylor said: "We support the prohibition on security officers possessing firearms in spaces like shopping malls, taxi ranks and schools as it is a significant safety measure that acknowledges the risk of firearms in crowded public spaces."

She pointed out, however, that some areas of the proposals needed refinement as they overlapped with the Firearms Control Act.

"For example, GFSA has been inundated with queries from members of the public complaining about bodyguards openly carrying high-calibre weapons in restaurants, churches, shopping centres and townhouse complexes," Taylor said.

"Aside from the fact that these types of weapons are not effective at close protection, section 84 of the Firearms Control Act requires that guns carried in public must be concealed. Security guards are not exempt from this requirement."

But Hood countered: "The most concerning aspect is the restriction of the possession of firearms in public spaces."

If an armed guard escorted cash to a mall while conducting cash-in-transit duties, the new proposals suggested that the guard could not carry the firearm into the shopping centre, exposing them to danger.

Christopher Thornhill, chief executive of the security company Phangela Group, said: "While we are welcoming the tighter regulations, we are concerned over vague clauses and practical implications...

"The phrase 'any other similar public establishment' - in reference to the prohibition of firearm possession - leaves room for dangerous misinterpretation."

He added that although Phangela understood "the rationale behind limiting weapons in public places", this needed to be contextualised.