Initial Guard Card with Initial Firearms

Getting an initial guard card in Los Angeles is now a simpler process thanks to Luna’s Training Academy. The State of California has outlined the requirements and the steps you need to take to obtain a California Guard Card. Luna’s Training Academy is your one-stop training facility certified by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). 

Getting an Armed Security License

Part of a security guard’s duty is to ensure private security and the safety of the people around him. The scope of the guard jobs varies, depending upon the business or security agency he works for. For added security, many security agencies require a security guard to complete security training and carry firearms. But before you can carry and use any firearms, you must undergo a security officer training to get a security guard card.

Here are other requirements you need to do to obtain an armed security license:

1. Present a valid ID or any document stating you’re a U.S. citizen who meets the minimum age requirements. In California, you need to be at least 21 years old to go through firearms training and start a security guard career.

2. In California, to get a security guard license or online guard card, applicants need to undergo a pre-licensing training course or a “guard card class” in a relevant training facility like Luna’s Training.

One of the guard card classes and the first course is 8 hours long in which you can finish in one day. It is divided into two parts or classes: Powers to Arrest and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

Powers to Arrest

• Responsibilities
• Criminal and civil liability
• Relationship with local Police
• Overview of Powers to Arrest Manual and subject matter
• Administering power to arrest and procedures
• Escalation & de-escalation techniques in the use of force
• Restraint techniques & implications
• Mindset and situational awareness
• Observation and report writing

Weapons of Mass Destruction

• Weapons of Mass Destruction
• The Role of a Security Officer
• The Nature of Terrorism
• Identifying and reporting precursor activities to a terrorist event
• Proper reaction
• Coordinating and sharing of critical information
• Interacting with Police
• Remaining safe while helping control the scene after a terrorist event

These courses are required prior to applying for a guard card. Luna’s Training in California provides online guard card classes, as well as on-site training sessions. Contact us now and we’ll start your 40 hours security guard training.

3. After you take the exam and pass the pre-licensing class, go to a Live Scan location to get your fingerprints taken and submit your application forms to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, BSIS.

4. Secure a security guard job offer from a security agency that has a business license.

5. Enroll in and complete an armed security guard training course which includes relevant classes on how to carry and use a gun and other firearms.

6. Take a firearms security training course approved by the state. Luna’s Initial Firearms Training classes include classroom instruction and training on the firing range to apply everything that is learned during classes. As a part of security officer training, you need to have enough knowledge in using firearms or weapons. The exposed firearms training topics will range from:

• Laws and regulations
• Scenarios
• Officer safety
• Firearm Safety
• Legal and Moral Aspects of Firearm Usage
• An Overview of Pistol and Revolver parts and their functions
• Types and function of Ammunition
• Shooting Procedures

If you successfully complete each class, you are awarded exposed firearms permit granting you permission to carry a gun and any firearms. You are not allowed to carry a gun on duty if you don’t have an exposed firearms permit issued by the Bureau. Also, a firearm permit issued by the BSIS does not authorize you to carry a concealed weapon. You’re not allowed to carry a concealed weapon on duty without a Concealed Weapons Permit (CCW) issued by local authorities, nor carry a caliber gun not listed on your firearm permit.

Note: Your firearms permit expires two years from the issuance date. An applicant must undergo a re-qualification four times before the permit expires: twice during the first year after the date it was issued, and twice during the second year. Each re-qualifications should be at least four months apart.

6. Complete a security guard registration application and submit it to California’s Department of Public Safety. Once your application is processed, you are awarded an official online guard card.

Securing an Initial Firearms Permit

To be qualified for a BSIS Firearms Permit, security guard applicants must:

• be a United States citizen or have a permanent legal residency status
• not be forbidden from possessing or carrying any exposed firearm pursuant to the State or Federal Law
• undergo and passed a background check through the FBI and the California DOJ to check any criminal records
• finalize and submit the Firearms Permit Initial Application to BSIS
• complete the required security officer training courses, including passing all necessary examinations and qualifications
• pay the initial application fee including the Live Scan, FBI and DOJ processing fees during fingerprinting.

Please allow the Bureau of Security of Investigative Services at least six to eight weeks from the date your payment was processed before contacting them about the status of your application.

Checking Your California Record Before Applying for Firearms Permit

You can actually request a California Personal Firearms Eligibility Check (PFEC). You just need to submit an application to the California DOJ. There are also applications available at your local gun and firearms dealer. But keep in mind that you may still be banned from possessing or carrying a gun even if you have received a response from PFEC saying that you’re allowed to own or carry a gun or any firearms.

Who is banned from owning or possessing firearms?

• Any individual who is convicted for any misdemeanor or for any felony;
• Anyone addicted to using any narcotic drug;
• Someone who has been held involuntarily as a danger to self or others is prohibited from purchasing, owning, or possessing any types of firearms. There are also other prohibitions based on conditions of probation, mental conditions, domestic protective or restraining orders, and specific offenses committed as a juvenile.

Cost of Armed Guard Training in California

Before you take your Initial Firearm Training, you need to obtain your California Guard Card first. The first step you must to do is take the Initial Guard Card Class. For a total of 8-hour class, you can acquire either a physical or online guard card.

You must pay for the necessary Guard Card Class fees:

• Guard Card application – $55
• Combined with the Live Scan DOJ – $32
• And FBI – $19
• an additional cost from the Live Scan Agency (prices vary)

We also provide all-purpose Live Scan depending on the background check for volunteers, nurses, foster care, teachers, etc. and sometimes they only need DOJ background check including the live scan agency fee of $25.

To get started with your classes, give Luna’s Training Academy a call today.

Duration of Armed Security Training

To become a licensed security guard in California, you must complete and file a firearm application and receive a firearms license, which you must renew every two years.

You need to undergo a pre-licensing course which is the first mandatory qualifications for you to obtain a California Guard Card. The course will take 8 hours in total which covers 4 hours for Powers to Arrest and 4 hours Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

Initial Firearms Training is a two-day course that will cover 14 hours’ worth of training.

Another required qualification to become a security guard in California also include an additional 14-hour armed security guard training course, which will cover the following:

• Moral and legal aspects
• Firearms nomenclature
• Weapon handling and shooting fundamentals
• Emergency procedures
• Range training

Armed Guard Salary in California

Armed security guards provide added security for their employers and agencies, whether they’re assigned to local stores, government buildings, or events that are usually crowded and highly populated. Armed guards also may be hired or contracted to patrol military installations.

Average Armed Security Guard Salary in California

Last updated on October 8, 2019, the average salary for an armed security guard In California is $13.80 per hour, which is 16% above the national average. Salary estimated from the salaries submitted anonymously to Indeed by 4,125 armed security guard employees, users, and collected from past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.

Average Armed Security Guard Salary in Los Angeles

Last updated on October 4, 2019, the average salary for an armed security guard In California is $14.00 per hour, which is 18% above the national average. Salary estimated from the salaries submitted anonymously to Indeed by 454 armed security guard employees, users, and collected from past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.