Gunsmithing is a useful skill for security professionals to know since they use guns on the job and need to maintain their weapons. It has often been said that a person would rather have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it. And if that really is true, then having a gun that is known to be in good working order before and if it is needed must be especially beneficial.
It’s for this reason that it is not necessary or by any means required to be a gunsmith to be a security professional, but some of those in security jobs do possess considerable gunsmith training and experience.
All in a Day’s Work
It is an immutable fact of life that some of those who perform security jobs are often attracted to the work because they are drawn to the trappings of security careers. They enjoy the authority, the uniform, badge, and even the gun.
It goes without saying that owning a gun, especially when you could be called upon to use it to save your own life and perhaps that of another is a big responsibility. For these reasons and more, it is a virtual necessity to keep it in good working order. It is for this reason that some security professionals either become licensed gunsmiths or at least learn some of the rudiments of the practice.
What is Gunsmithing?
Gunsmithing is, by its very nature, a multi-dimensional skill. Gunsmiths must not only learn how guns operate, but they must also know how to repair, modify, design, and build them. Even if a person is not trained in the complete gunsmithing skill, they are often interested in various parts of it, such as metalwork, woodwork, and artisan.
A person who is employed in a security career and also happens to have gunsmithing skills would be able to not only maintain his own weapons but also hire his services out to those he works with.
Coursework and Licensing
It is important to understand that all legitimate gunsmiths are registered and licensed the proper authority, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. In order to be licensed a gunsmith must be able to certify that he has taken a certain required courses and has a verifiable record as an apprentice.
What Skills Do you Need for Gunsmithing?
But becoming a gunsmith isn’t just a matter of hanging up a shingle and starting a business. He must also know what types of weapons he is legally able to possess, work on, and return to the owner.He must also understand that if an unauthorized person comes to him with an illegal weapon to repair, he must report it. If on the other hand, a person such as a police officer turns a controlled weapon over to him for repair or refurbishment, it would be perfectly legal for him to do so.
Gunsmithing for Security Professionals
For all of the reasons listed above, although being a gunsmith might serve a person in the security industry well, due to the number of training requirements and the regulations affecting the performance he can render as a gunsmith, it would probably be impractical for him to do much beyond work on his own weapons.
Related:
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- Top 10 States for Security Careers
