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$18 an hour to stop mass shooters: US workplaces' first line of defense

Security guards now stand at entrances of retailers, hospitals, schools and sports venues across the U.S. as workplaces respond to mass-shooting threats. Manny Marquez, chief operating officer of Nightlife Security Consultants, said guards are sometimes underappreciated despite providing essential protection.
Recent mass shootings have accelerated the expansion, including an October incident killing security guard Amos Gary, 49; a June 2024 armed response at CrossPoint Community Church; and Amin Abdullah's death May 18 confronting gunmen at San Diego's Islamic Center.
Pay for security guards remains a persistent challenge, with wages about half those of police officers; nearly three-fourths of private security guards earn low-wage salaries, and in the Bay Area, 90% don't earn enough to meet basic needs.
Police officers sometimes view security guards with vague or questionable presence at public buildings, while states struggle to provide adequate security and guards lack legal protections and pensions accompanying law enforcement positions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports security guards experience fatality rates significantly higher than comparable jobs, yet positions start at $22 to $28 per hour in cities like Chicago and Connecticut, leaving the workforce vulnerable despite expanding demand.

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