In order to carry a firearm in the performance of security duties, a security officer must obtain a Class “G” Statewide Firearm License. The firearm must be required by the employing agency and must be carried openly, except as provided in subsection section 493.6115(4), Florida Statutes.
Please note that all Class “G” license officers must also possess a Class “D” (unarmed security) license. Therefore, all Class “G” license applicants must either already possess a Class “D” license, or must be applying for the Class “D” license at the same time that they are applying for the Class “G” license.
To obtain the Class “G” license, an officer is required to complete 28 hours of classroom and range training provided by a Class “K” licensed instructor. In Florida, the Class “G” training is caliber specific which means that a Class “G” licensed security officer may only carry a firearm of the specific type and caliber with which he or she is qualified. As such, Dead Shot recommends that any security officers interested in obtaining a Class “G” license know prior to scheduling training what type firearm/caliber they are going to be required to carry in the performance their duties. A security officer may qualify and carry a .38 caliber revolver, .357 caliber revolver with .38 caliber ammunition, .380 caliber, 9 millimeter, .40 caliber, or a .45 ACP semiautomatic pistol while performing duties authorized under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes.
Security officers who are armed with a firearm depend on it as an instrument that may assure safety and protect life. Dead Shot offers the firearms training specified by Chapter 493 but cautions that this training is not for inexperienced shooters. The course consists of two 10 hour days of classroom training covering legal aspects in the use of firearms (Chapters 493, 775, 776, 790 of Florida Statutes, civil and criminal liability), firearms operational safety, and firearms mechanical training. Day 3 of the training consists of final examination and range qualification. It is recommended that any inexperienced shooters get individualized training prior to attending this course. Dead Shot can provide individualized training to those interested. Please call or email for additional details. Needed training and associated costs will be determined on a case by case basis.
Security officers that are issued a Florida Class "G" license must return once per year to complete the annual 4 hour requalification to retain their license. The 4 hour requalification course consists of classroom presentation, written examination, and range.
Please review the attached important document regarding requalification time frames as dictated by the FDACS:
Class_G_Annual_Training_Reporting_Requirement
Fees and Required Equipment for Training:
- Training fee 28 hours course- $185.00 (includes range fee)
- Training fee 4 hours requalification course - $80.00 (includes range fee)
- Fee for qualifying with additional weapon - $50.00
- Duty-style firearm (school firearm available for rent if student doesn’t have own firearm)
- 150 rounds of ammunition per weapon qualifying with
- Holster
- Ammunition magazines or speed loader
- Hearing protection
- Eye protection
NOTE: For those who may be submitting an application for another class of license under Chapter 493 at the same time as the Class “G”, only one set of fingerprints and a single fingerprint-processing fee is required. If you have submitted a set of fingerprints and a fingerprint-processing fee for a license under Chapter 493 within the past six months, no fingerprint submission or fingerprint-processing fee is necessary with the Class “G” application.