Weapon Screening Isn't Magic

The threat of violence in public settings is always a concern and many companies are installing AI weapon screening systems or metal detectors. I hate to break it to you, but these aren't magic and they alone will not prevent 100% of weapons from entering your facility. Concert venues, airports, and other high security environments have been using metal detectors for years while other organizations like schools and hospitals have been slower to implement them.

Newer systems are capable of detecting concealed weapons even below bulky clothing using thermal imaging, millimeter-wave (extremely high frequency radar), and other technologies. One of the benefits these systems provide is an increased detection rate of polymer frame handguns and non-metallic objects which certainly helps detect 3D printed firearms and other weapons.

Weapon screening systems are a force multiplier, but they are not without complications or limitations. Below are some items to think about before considering a weapons screening system.

Technology

AI based weapon detection despite what some companies will state is NOT 100% fool-proof. Just as with older metal detectors and even “hand wanding” there are still false positives and false negatives. Weapon detection system companies are not always transparent about this with some even stating that they work 100% of the time leading to misplaced trust in a single device by the organization.

Standard metal detectors do just that, they detect the present of metal and alloys in various sizes. The sensitivity of each must be adjusted and tested to reduce the number of false positives for keys, pens, and other items. However, if it’s adjusted to be less sensitive false negatives may allow a threat actor to bring a weapon into a facility.

Policy

When implementing weapon screening at any location, policies and procedures must be created to reinforce their use and provide well thought procedures for security officers and staff members to use while performing screening procedures.

The organization’s HR, Legal, and Security departments must work together to create a policy which will allow efficient and effective screening of visitors while protecting the privacy of staff and guests. Policies must be minimally invasive and legal while allowing security officers to do their job and help to ensure a safe environment for staff and visitors.

Response

Once you have discovered a weapon on an individual attempting to access the facility what do you do? Not everyone carrying a weapon is a threat to a business. Many people lawfully conceal carry firearms and many more carry pocket knives as tools. These are daily habits of many people and that should be taken into consideration, however in the case that someone is a threat what do you do? Your security officers, staff members, and visitors depend on quick decisive action supported by sound procedures. This could be an entire article on its own and won't be discussed here in depth, however many factors including police response times, whether your security officers are armed, and the immediate threat to bystanders must be examined.

Other considerations

As briefly mentioned above some see these systems as a buy-and-forget system which magically prevents armed individuals from entering a building and that cannot be further from the truth. The placement of this equipment and its efficacy rely on the location and architecture of the screening vestibule or area where screening is conducted. Not all spaces are able to facilitate weapon screening on scale and securely without additional

improvements.

Perhaps an entryway used for both staff and visitors needs to be segmented, or an additional access-controlled security door needs to be installed. Each situation is unique and must be considered holistic.

Before making an expensive purchase, we recommend performing a site wide physical security risk assessment. While weapons screening may be a benefit, it may not be the most cost-effective security improvement to your organization. A site wide SRA identifies vulnerabilities and threats which may not be apparent and provides recommendations to mitigate them.

Proper implementation requires not only the selection of the correct equipment, competent installers, and a reliable maintenance company, it requires an experienced security professional to assess its feasibility.

If your organization is looking into weapon screening or weapons detection systems and would like an independent assessment, we can help. We will provide a study of a potential system along with assistance in procurement and installation as well as policy and procedure creation.

Please give us a call or contact us info@bastionsecuritygroup.com.