Carrying of weapons by security guards/officers

Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-35-125, under Private Protective Services Licensing and Regulatory Act.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-35-125

(a) An armed security guard/officer may carry only the types of firearms that the commissioner prescribes, by rules and regulations, in the performance of the person's duties. A security guard/officer may carry a firearm only if certified to carry the firearm. With proper certification, an unarmed or armed security guard/officer may carry any other type weapon, including, but not be limited to, clubs or batons, stun guns, the chemical spray known as mace or any other tool or weapon that the commissioner may prescribe.

(b) (1) An enhanced armed guard may carry a rifle or shotgun only if certified to carry such firearm. An enhanced armed guard may carry only the type of rifle or shotgun that the commissioner prescribes by rule when in the performance of the guard's duties.(2) An enhanced armed guard may only deploy a rifle or shotgun, whether in an offensive or defensive posture, when a legitimate threat necessitating such deployment is perceived to exist or be imminent. During such time as a threat necessitating deployment of a rifle or shotgun is not perceived to exist or be imminent, the rifle or shotgun must be securely stored in such manner as the commissioner may prescribe by rule.(3) As used in this subsection (b), “rifle” and “shotgun” have the same meanings as those terms are defined in § 39-17-1301.

(1) An enhanced armed guard may carry a rifle or shotgun only if certified to carry such firearm. An enhanced armed guard may carry only the type of rifle or shotgun that the commissioner prescribes by rule when in the performance of the guard's duties.

(2) An enhanced armed guard may only deploy a rifle or shotgun, whether in an offensive or defensive posture, when a legitimate threat necessitating such deployment is perceived to exist or be imminent. During such time as a threat necessitating deployment of a rifle or shotgun is not perceived to exist or be imminent, the rifle or shotgun must be securely stored in such manner as the commissioner may prescribe by rule.

(3) As used in this subsection (b), “rifle” and “shotgun” have the same meanings as those terms are defined in § 39-17-1301.