Colorado Heroine May Have Been Legally Prevented from Using Beretta as Security Guard

Vanity | 16 December, 2007 | Marktwain

[marktwain]

Jeanne Assam, the heroine of the New Life Church shooting in Colorado Springs, would likely have been unable to carry the Beretta that she stopped the shooting with if she had been a licensed security guard.

An AP article published on 12 December noted that licensed security guards in Colorado Springs are restricted to the use of revolvers.

As Jeanne Assam was a volunteer parishioner who was performing security guard duties because the church did not want to hire “mercenaries”, she was almost certainly not affected by the regulations, which only apply to government regulated security guards.

Fortunately, her lack of official status with the state and city allowed her to carry a firearm with sufficient firepower to accomplish the necessary task.

Jeannette had to fire 10 rounds to keep her fellow parishoners safe.

[spunkets]

She only needed a license if she was being compensated. She and the others were volunteers, like ushers, setup crews for the functions, ect...

[TLI]

Well she could stick with name brand...

[El Gato]

We don't know enough from the article to say whether the Beretta was 9mm or 40 S&W

9mm

But the perp had both a 9mm and a .40, along with a Bushmaster rifle.

[Uri’el-2012]

The security guard, Jeanne Assam, shot Murray with a Beretta 9mm semiautomatic handgun,

No wonder it took 12 rounds to drop the perp.

9mm will not penetrate body armor.

She needs to upgrade to at least .40 S&W

[org.whodat]

It is interesting to note that if she had been licensed by the state, she would have been prevented from using the Beretta that she used to stop the crime.

Don't know about any state license requirements, but the rule about a wheel gun as opposed to a semi auto is a city ordnance. So the link says.

[marktwain]

“Considering that the Beretta is a pretty big gun, she probably would have had a .357 wheelgun if that’s what she had been restricted to. The perp would be just as dead.”

Some Berettas are bigger than others. I have not been able to find what model she had, or what the capacity of the magazine she was using was.

It is pretty clear that it was a Beretta 9mm, though.

[painter]

Yea.I she had emptied a 1911 into him they would have had to pick him with a shovel.

[Erik Latranyi]

The point of the article is that Jeanne Assam was not a "licensed security guard".

Precisely. The MSM wants to make sure her status as a private citizen with a CCW never gets aired.

[TLI]

One alternate interpretation of "revolver" that might improve the odds...

[marktwain]

“It is interesting to note that if she had been licensed by the state, she would have been prevented from using the Beretta that she used to stop the crime.”

“Don’t know about any state license requirements, but the rule about a wheel gun as opposed to a semi auto is a city ordnance. So the link says.”

Yes, it is a city ordnance. I believe it applies to licensed security guards. Perhaps security guards are licensed by the city instead of the state. I would love to have fellow freepers investigate this aspect.

[org.whodat]

http://www.state.co.us/oed/industry-license/IndDetail.cfm?id=114

THE STATE OF COLORADO DOES NOT LICENSE SECURITY GUARDS

Many local governments license security services, and may require criminal background checks and bonds. Business must check with every local authority where security service is provided.

Permit/registration required with local law enforcement if carrying gun.

[Navy Patriot]

Have it your way you idiot gun controlers.

[Myrddin]

It has not been established that the shooter was wearing body armor. I researched all the news stories I could find around the time of the shooting. I found no confirmation of that speculation. It's pretty easy to deliver a full magazine of 9mm into a target before the target hits the floor. Body armor will stop most handgun calibers (9mm, 40 S&W, 45Auto) due to the large cross sectional area of the bullet. The .22 caliber .223 (AR-15) or 5.7x28 have a smaller cross sectional area and sufficient velocity to penetrate body armor. A knife will slice with body armor with ease.

[marktwain]

“THE STATE OF COLORADO DOES NOT LICENSE SECURITY GUARDS

Many local governments license security services, and may require criminal background checks and bonds. Business must check with every local authority where security service is provided.

Permit/registration required with local law enforcement if carrying gun.”

Wonderful response time! Thank you for the information.

[marktwain]

“It has not been established that the shooter was wearing body armor.”

I don’t believe that he was. I found at least one source that said that he was wearing a sleeved shirt with pockets for magazines, as I recall.

[Uri’el-2012]

The .22 caliber .223 (AR-15) or 5.7x28 have a smaller cross sectional area and sufficient velocity to penetrate body armor. A knife will slice with body armor with ease.

or a .357 Sig

[claudiustg]

My choice would be my Glock 31C, with 15 rounds of 357 SIG on tap.

This vest thing has got me thinking though. Might not a 357 revolver loaded alternately with 125gr SJHP and 180gr hardcast be a winner?

[mamelukesabre]

I have a beretta 92 FS. It’s a very fine weapon. Shoots very straight. But I sure wouldn’t want to carry one on me 24-7. I’m more impressed this smallish female lugs the thing around all the time than I am that she actually shot and hit a bad guy with it.

For carry, I need something much smaller. Kahr, walther, keltec, seacamp, etc. Otherwise, I just leave it home.

[Larry Lucido]

Sven rounds from a S&W 686+

Does Sven have to be holding the revolver?

[Armedanddangerous]

There are several different sized beretta 9mms, 40s and 45 acp autos.

They range from a ten shot subcompact to a sixteen shot 9mm.