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Published on 01/20/2025
The escalation of club and bar shootings in the U.S. is a growing concern, prompting venue owners and managers to rethink their security strategies. At NSC, we lead the nation in training hospitality security professionals [link to internal training info page], reducing liquor liability, and lowering insurance premiums. In this blog, we delve into the decision-making process for owners, exploring the consequences of choosing between armed and unarmed hospitality security professionals.
The surge in relevance is ringing alarms across the board. The escalating frequency of club and bar shootings is undeniable on a national scale, a fact underscored by our compelling statistical evidence. As the instances of violence continue to rise, owners and managers are inevitably thrust into a critical decision-making process, contemplating the most effective type of security personnel for safeguarding their establishments.
As the nation’s #1 hospitality security training company, NSC takes pride in being a trailblazer in training hospitality security professionals. We specialize in empowering operators to curtail liquor liability and reduce insurance premiums. Moreover, our commitment extends beyond training – we aspire to equip operators with the knowledge needed to make the most informed decisions. Dive into our blog [link to internal blog page] and podcast [link to internal podcast page], where insights and expertise converge to guide operators toward informed choices.
After a dispute between patrons, your guards swiftly intervened, diffusing the initial tension. Despite initial resolution, the conflict resurfaced, leading to the ejection of the guests. As they left, the situation escalated into a violent altercation, requiring your guards' expertise to regain control. Eventually, the guests departed, but not without hurling threats. Shockingly, one retrieved a handgun from their car, heightening the severity of the incident.
Imagine a scenario where a verbal altercation at a venue escalates into potential tragedy. How the security team, comprised of hospitality security professionals, responds can lead to different outcomes, each with its own set of consequences.
Gunfire erupts at the club; chaos ensues as guards and guests seek cover. The shooter flees, leaving the building riddled with 16 bullet holes. Quick 911 action ensues, and thankfully, no one is hit. Authorities apprehend the suspects, prosecuting the shooter.
Amidst the chaos, gunfire erupts at the club, prompting guards and guests to scramble for cover. The shooter swiftly escapes in a vehicle, leaving the venue marred by eight bullet holes. A frantic 911 call follows the echoing shots. The aftermath reveals the toll: two guards sustain gunshot wounds to their legs and back, while three guests are injured in their arms, chest, leg, and back. Miraculously, none of the wounds prove fatal. Law enforcement and medics respond promptly, providing crucial care to the victims. In a commendable display of justice, authorities successfully apprehend the suspects, leading to the prosecution of the shooter.
As the guests walk to their car, two armed guards shadowed the group. Suddenly, a guest draws a weapon, prompting both guards to react swiftly, shouting, "Drop the gun!" The guest, confronted by the guards, hastily jumps into the car, which speeds away. The armed guest fires multiple rounds into the air from the moving vehicle. A 911 call follows, leading authorities to capture the suspects shortly after. The retrieval of a weapon seals the arrest of the shooter.
As the guests walked to their car, two armed guards followed the group about 15 feet behind them. When the guest retrieved his weapon from the car and turned, both guards responded by pulling their own weapons and opening fire at the guest. Both guards hit the guest, and some of their shots also struck the car, injuring two other guests already inside. A 911 call was made, and both authorities and medics promptly arrived. Unfortunately, the guest with the gun lost his life, while the passengers sustained injuries.
As the guests walked to their car, two armed guards trailed the group from a distance of about 20 or 25 feet. As the guest retrieved his weapon from the car and turned, he noticed the armed guards drawing their weapons. In response, the guest hurriedly jumped into the passenger seat, and the car sped away. Holding the gun outside the passenger window, the guest fired three rounds at the front of the club. The two armed guards retaliated by opening fire at the fleeing vehicle, hitting not only the car but also several uninvolved guest vehicles and another passing car. A 911 call was placed as the shots echoed. Promptly, authorities arrived, apprehending the suspects a short distance away. They recovered a weapon, and the shooter was subsequently arrested.
Among the five outcomes detailed above, none achieved perfection, with some proving worse than others. Each response left employees severely frightened, triggered a police response to the club, resulted in next-day newspaper headlines, sparked community outrage, and fostered a perception that the club was an undesirable place. Furthermore, at least three of the responses will like result in civil liability lawsuits, costing both the venue and the insurance company significant sums of money.
So, what should operators do? Choose armed guards or unarmed guards? Frankly, there's no perfect answer, and each operator must confront some tough questions while seeking solutions. Here are key considerations that demand contemplation and discussion.
What’s Our Objective? Determine the primary goal—ensuring venue and property safety, deterring the "bad element," or projecting a show of force.
What Are the Core Issue? Examine the root problem—problematic clientele, the subjective definition of "bad" clientele, whether issues are real or perceived, the role of promoters, control over promoters, effectiveness of club/bar policies in preventing violence, the presence and understanding of management in issue resolution, and whether it's a singular or multiple issues.
Do We Armed Guards? Evaluate the necessity of arming guards to address problems. Consider whether better-trained guards, improved management, or enhanced issue-related policies could be effective.
Is The Risk Worth The Reward? Weigh the potential downsides against the benefits. Consider the risks involved – potential police issues, guest and community perceptions, additional expenses to hire a qualified armed guard, and whether your insurance policy covers armed guards.
Venue operators must address these questions openly with local authorities and staff to make informed decisions about their security approach. For further discussions or assistance, feel free to contact NSC directly.
In summary, ensuring the safety of your establishment involves careful consideration of armed versus unarmed security, with a focus on the specific needs and challenges faced by your venue and the role played by hospitality security professionals. – Good luck!
