• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

ORC question for those well read up

SWhetsel

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
81
Location
Summit County, OH USA
imported post

Basically, I was wondering what the laws where on armed security. Like if I was to start my own company what paper work, insurance, ect. would I need to have in order. Do you have to be bonded? My mom's company is looking to sign a contract for armed security and I am going to put in a bid. I've worked for them before, and other times they have local police officers work for them. But I may have an chance to seal this bid and hire my buddy and make this a full time job.

So I guess does anyone know if the ORC has something written in it about armed security or if I need to look else where for the laws. And then if anyone could point me in the right direction, it would be helpful.

(I googled "ohio armed security laws" and the such, with no prevail.)
 

Lthrnck

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2007
Messages
656
Location
Englewood, Ohio, USA
imported post

First off....DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT WITH THEM....

My brother tried to open his own security company several years ago. He had taken the test and passed it and was waiting on his license. He called and was told that his license had been approved and his license would be mailed out in the next couple of days.

My brother had already been working on a couple of accounts and he went out and got signed contracts to start doing business with these companys starting the next week.

Well the local sheriff, who also was a partner in a Private security company found out that he had lost an account to my brother. He checked out my brother's license and found out that the contract was signed two days before his license was dated.

So they charged him with providing security services without a license. He lost his license and could not open his company.

Now I don't know what the current laws are but FIND OUT.. before you sign any contracts. They may have changed and considering it appears you might be doing "IN HOUSE" security, they may even be different then doing "Private Security"

Go to the Ohio Attonery Generals site, there is information there.
 

Legba

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2007
Messages
1,881
Location
, ,
imported post

It's changed a lot since I was in it. I was a Pinkerton rent-a-cop when I was young,and we barely had to turn in a police background check then. I gather now that there's some kind of licensure required, and I would expect some kind of liability insurance and/or bond arrangement for any security company. You should consider incorporating as well (put in for an LLC in Columbus through the Commerce Department), to avoid personal liability.

I haven't read the details, but this is the principal section of the ORC that you should start with: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4749.

-ljp
 

SWhetsel

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
81
Location
Summit County, OH USA
imported post

I found what I need on the Ohio Attorney Generals web site. Thanks for that Ohio code site though! And thanks for the tip on the contract thing.

UPDATE

I read the link on the ORC and after reading it wanted a little input from you guys.
Sounds like if you are a licensee then you can NOT open carry unless you pay and extra $15 fee. HOWEVER, you need no special training or extra fee to conceal carry if you are already licensed to do so. Just thought it was weird that you give up your right to open carry when you get licensed. Or did I read this wrong.

4749.10 Carrying firearm. (A) No class A, B, or C licensee and no registered employee of a class A, B, or C licensee shall carry a firearm, as defined in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code, in the course of engaging in the business of private investigation, the business of security services, or both businesses, unless all of the following apply: (1) The licensee or employee either has successfully completed a basic firearm training program at a training school approved by the Ohio peace officer training commission, which program includes twenty hours of training in handgun use and, if any firearm other than a handgun is to be used, five hours of training in the use of other firearms, and has received a certificate of satisfactory completion of that program from the executive director of the commission; the licensee or employee has, within three years prior to November 27, 1985, satisfactorily completed firearms training that has been approved by the commission as being equivalent to such a program and has received written evidence of approval of that training from the executive director of the commission; or the licensee or employee is a former peace officer, as defined in section 109.71 of the Revised Code, who previously had successfully completed a firearms training course at a training school approved by the Ohio peace officer training commission and has received a certificate or other evidence of satisfactory completion of that course from the executive director of the commission. (2) The licensee or employee submits an application to the director of public safety, on a form prescribed by the director, in which the licensee or employee requests registration as a class A, B, or C licensee or employee who may carry a firearm. The application shall be accompanied by a copy of the certificate or the written evidence or other evidence described in division (A)(1) of this section, the identification card issued pursuant to section 4749.03 or 4749.06 of the Revised Code if one has previously been issued, a statement of the duties that will be performed while the licensee or employee is armed, and a fee the director determines, not to exceed fifteen dollars. In the case of a registered employee, the statement shall be prepared by the employing class A, B, or C licensee. (3) The licensee or employee receives a notation on the licensee’s or employee’s identification card that the licensee or employee is a firearm-bearer and carries the identification card whenever the licensee or employee carries a firearm in the course of engaging in the business of private investigation, the business of security services, or both businesses. (4) At any time within the immediately preceding twelve-month period, the licensee or employee has requalified in firearms use on a firearms training range at a firearms requalification program certified by the Ohio peace officer training commission or on a firearms training range under the supervision of an instructor certified by the commission and has received a certificate of satisfactory requalification from the certified program or certified instructor, provided that this division does not apply to any licensee or employee prior to the expiration of eighteen months after the licensee’s or employee’s completion of the program described in division (A)(1) of this section. A certificate of satisfactory requalification is valid and remains in effect for twelve months from the date of the requalification. (5) If division (A)(4) of this section applies to the licensee or employee, the licensee or employee carries the certificate of satisfactory requalification that then is in effect or any other evidence of requalification issued or provided by the director. (B)(1) The director of public safety shall register an applicant under division (A) of this section who satisfies divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section, and place a notation on the applicant’s identification card indicating that the applicant is a firearm-bearer and the date on which the applicant completed the program described in division (A)(1) of this section. (2) A firearms requalification training program or instructor certified by the commission for the annual requalification of class A, B, or C licensees or employees who are authorized to carry a firearm under section 4749.10 of the Revised Code shall award a certificate of satisfactory requalification to each class A, B, or C licensee or registered employee of a class A, B, or C licensee who satisfactorily requalifies in firearms training. The certificate shall identify the licensee or employee and indicate the date of the requalification. A licensee or employee who receives such a certificate shall submit a copy of it to the director of public safety. A licensee shall submit the copy of the requalification certificate at the same time that the licensee makes application for renewal of the licensee’s class A, B, or C license. The director shall keep a record of all copies of requalification certificates the director receives under this division and shall establish a procedure for the updating of identification cards to provide evidence of compliance with the annual requalification requirement. The procedure for the updating of identification cards may provide for the issuance of a new card containing the evidence, the entry of a new notation containing the evidence on the existing card, the issuance of a separate card or paper containing the evidence, or any other procedure determined by the director to be reasonable. Each person who is issued a requalification certificate under this division promptly shall pay to the Ohio peace officer training commission established by section 109.71 of the Revised Code a fee the director determines, not to exceed fifteen dollars, which fee shall be transmitted to the treasurer of state for deposit in the peace officer private security fund established by section 109.78 of the Revised Code. (C) Nothing in this section prohibits a private investigator or a security guard provider from carrying a concealed handgun if the private investigator or security guard provider complies with sections 2923.124 to 2923.1213 of the Revised Code. Effective Date: 04-08-2004; 07-01-2004; 07-01-2005
 

5cardcharlie

New member
Joined
May 13, 2008
Messages
4
Location
, ,
imported post

I've been working security for 6 years or so, armed security for 4. I've also looked into obtaining my own license to operate a security business.

To answer your question, you do indeed have requirements above the regular citizen to carry while working security. You need to have the FAB (FireArm Bearer)certification marked on your security card. To get this, you must takean OPOTC approved firearms class (20 hours) in revolver, semiauto, or shotgun, depending on what you will be carrying (and you can only carry that one class unless you get multiple certs). You also have to pay the fee to get it marked on the card, and recertify annually (recertification is a less lengthy class if you don't miss your recert date).

I myself have often wondered if it really is constitutional todeny a citizen's (non-police) right to open carry in Ohio, but regardless, that's how it currently stands.

And a sidenote: I found, as other security professionals have told me, that due to the high cost of bonding andother fees, it doesn't make much sense to start a company unless you'll have a significant number of employees.
 

5cardcharlie

New member
Joined
May 13, 2008
Messages
4
Location
, ,
imported post

I forgot to mention that to get your own license you also need to have worked security with another companycontinuously for the last two years (with 4,000 hours time in those 2 years), and take a state test. Or, instead of the experience you can have certain educational credentials such as a police acadamy. Assuming I remember correctly.

Make sure to check my comments against the ohio.gov homeland security section. Remember, "Trust, but verify!"
 
Top