Training Doesn’t Stop at Qualification
There are many reasons people own and carry a firearm.
Hunting. Home and self-defense. Personal rights.
But one reason that often gets overlooked is career-based carry.
When people think about firearms for work, they usually picture law enforcement or the military. What’s often forgotten is the next layer beneath that: security services.
When I first started in security, training was simple. A 40-hour class. A range qualification. Then a yearly re-qualification.
That was it.
I was fortunate; I had just come out of the police academy, so I already had a strong training foundation. But once you’re in contract security, the reality hits fast: everything beyond the minimum is on you.
Move states, and it changes again.
In Nevada, it might be an 8-hour class and a qualification every two years. In Texas, the structure is different, but the theme is the same.
Meet the state minimum. The rest is optional.
Now think about what that really means.
We expect armed security officers to carry a firearm professionally, sometimes daily, after meeting only the minimum legal standard. From there, they’re responsible for maintaining skills on their own.
Most contract officers are already stretched thin:
Tight budgets
Over time, just to cover bills
Limited access to ammo and ranges
Free time reserved for family, not training
Even in law enforcement, I hear the same thing from friends all the time: training often meets the minimum requirement, and anything beyond that comes out of your own pocket.
Ammo costs money. Range fees cost money. Classes cost money.
So what happens?
Skills degrade. Marksmanship slips. Decision-making under stress erodes.
And then there’s the other factor we don’t talk about enough: ego.
“I’m a cop.” “I’m licensed.” “I’m qualified.”
Pride creeps in. Training feels unnecessary. But firearms proficiency is one of the most perishable skills there is, no matter why you carry.
The truth is simple:
We can all improve
Instructors should continue to train
Companies and agencies need to do better
This isn’t just an officer issue. It’s a leadership issue.
Yes, training costs money. But it’s a necessary cost.
Imagine going into a contract bid and being able to say:
Our officers exceed state requirements
They train continuously
They attend structured range time
They earn distinctions through recognized instructor programs
Their skills are measured, maintained, and reinforced
That matters to clients, to liability, and to professionalism.
Training doesn’t stop when you qualify. Certification is a starting line, not a finish line.
Whether you carry for work, duty, or defense, firearms training must be treated like what it truly is: a perishable skill that demands ongoing investment.
Something to think about.