Armored Transport---Two Sidearms

[bubbagump]

I was at the mall yesterday, and saw some Brinks guys picking up cash...and it got me wondering...

Are armored transport guys allowed to have two SIDEARMS?

I'm not talking about a sidearm and a backup...I'm talking about two full sized handguns on there belt (and maybe a hideaway piece).

The reason I ask is because I've never seen a guy with two sidearms and I think it would probably be a good idea.

For example, two full sized Glocks. One in a left hand cross-draw holster and the other in a regular strong side holster. It may sound mall-ninjaish/cowboyish...but then again think about the kind of work these guys do on a daily basis. The odds are against them if they walk into a well-thought out ambush.

With two full sized handguns you might have a better chance of surviving a shooting if, say, one firearm malfunctions or you only have use of your left arm (hence the cross draw holster). I don't think weapon retention would be a huge deal since both firearms are in close proximity to each other...instead of one weapon on your right and the other on your left (cowboy style) while carrying money bags.

What do you guys think? If you work armored transport, please chime in with your companies policy regarding this topic.

[Scratch705]

i would hope the armored car companies would arm the guards better than just 1 handgun.... at least a shotgun or something...

[bubbagump]

i would hope the armored car companies would arm the guards better than just 1 handgun.... at least a shotgun or something...

I'm pretty sure they keep a shotgun in the truck. Maybe even some type of Carbine? But for sure a shotgun.

A close friend of mine used to work for Loomis and do the runs at Santa Anita. But I haven't had a chance to ask him yet...

[Z ME FLY]

I've seen the guy inside and in the back usually holding a shotgun

[Skunkwrks]

Never worked armored transport but armed security in the past (and in the process of starting my own company). My exposed firearm permit doesn't state how many firearms I can carry, just calibers. I'm sure it's up to the company's policy. I have seen armored car guards carrying multiple handguns in the past. Although it looked odd, I can't say that I blame them.

[Greg-Dawg]

[HowardW56]

I have seen an Armored Car company pull up to a bank with another pick-up following, 4 guards total... Two standing post with shotguns while one unloaded the truck...

This wasn't in the best opart of LA

[SacDep]

I worked for Loomis for 2 years (2007). No shotgun, no carbine. you only have your gun and your partner's gun (if they are armed). More than a couple of times the driver did not have a gun. They were new and only had the guard card. The driver is worthless anyway. I don't know how many times I came out to the truck to find the driver asleep. However, I did see a rifle or shotgun inside a Brinks truck while at the Reserve. They might have a different policy. IMO, the two guns would be overkill and I could see the company having an issue with it because you're supposed to give up the money not get into a shoot out. Why risk your life for money that does not belong to you and is insured.

[BBR]

I worked for brinks for awhile in college. Driver carried a shotgun in the truck (rem 870) guard carried Smith and Wesson revolver, don't recall what it was. Armored Cars operate on the principal of implied security. You could to the same job with a black SUV and be every bit as safe. In reality, the amount of traning most guards receive is less than your average boyscout.

[gravedigger]

In reality, the amount of traning most guards receive is less than your average boyscout.

As a former employee of Armored Transport in Los Angeles (now AT Systems), I can tell you that:

1. Armored car guards are paid FAR LESS than the FedEx drivers, FedEx delivers sneakers and iPods.

2. Most (not all) of the guards for armored car companies are off-duty fireman, working a second job with a similar uniform, but with the addition of a gun.

3. Armored car guards CANNOT shoot you in defense of property, so if you walk up in a pair of speedo's and Sketchers (OBVIOUSLY unarmed) and grab a big bag of money, toss it onto your shoulder and start running, and the guard shoots you, (and you survive,) you can sue the living begeezus out of the company and end up with a thousand times the amount you attempted to carry away.

4. Most armored car companies use UNION workers, so "lazy" goes along with the job description. In fact, it is a prerequisite.

5. Most armored car guards have ONLY fired their guns long enough to quialify for the gun card, and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

6. On large deliveries or pick ups (over 2 million dollars in cash) , the company will send out SEVERAL company people to protect the transport, so the one or two guards you see are probably backed up by 6 to 10 more plain clothed ARMED employees standing nearby... The guy standing in the phone booth, the man on the park bench reading the paper, the woman with the shotgun in the baby stroller ... just like in "Get Smart!"

7. The job is over-rated and underpaid.

8. You will NEVER see more cash in one place than when you make a deposit at a central cash vault, where the money is stacked on pallets on high industrial shelving and moved around with forklifts, like the products you see stored in Home Depot.

9. The job quickly becomes very boring.

10. Money is horribly, disgustingly, rancidly DIRTY.

[SacDep]

I agree with most of the stuff gravedigger said but when I used to pick up large amounts of money I did not receive any additional guards or plain clothes security. They are bidding with other companies doing the job for the cheapest possible rate. less guards, less money. When I worked for an armored car company in the bay I had to load ATMs on the streets of Frisco and Oakland by myself without a gun for a month. When I finally got a gun I did not feel much safer. Luckily, we had unmarked vans and by the time people knew what I was doing I was done. =)

[BBR]

Totally agree with SacDep. We would make drops of $1 mil plus with just two guys. Around the 1st/15th it was not uncommon. Money is dirtier than a 7/11 toilet, and smells twice as bad. And guns do not make you feel safer when you are diving around in a big white truck with everyone knowing there are large quantities of cash contained therein. Aside from the imposing looks of an armored car, they serve no other purpose than to have the capacity to haul the heavy, yet relatively worthless (compared to the cash load) boxed coin.


Ah good times.
BBR

[smle-man]

...As a former employee of Armored Transport in Los Angeles (now AT Systems)...

It is now a Canadian owned company called Garda as of April 2007.

[tgriffin]

I saw a brinks truck broken down on the northbound lane of 99 just south of Elk grove last week. They drove another truck out there, had one NERVOUS looking dude standing shotgun while 4 guys transferred stuff truck to truck.

[Lone_Gunman]

Hey I saw that too!