In the wake of the terror attacks in Mumbai, private security agencies deployed at hotels, malls, monuments and other public places across the country have demanded to be allowed to carry semi-automatic weapons.Current Private Security Act 2005 does not allow private security guards to carry sophisticated automatic weapons as it allows only 12 bore guns, .315 rifles and .32 pistols and revolvers.Since private security guards are the first line of defence, they should be armed with modern weapons to deal with the changed situation in security set up, said R K Sinha, CMD of the Security and Intelligence Service, one of the largest private security agencies in the country.Two security guards who were killed guarding Trident hotel in Mumbai were carrying batons. Sophisticated weapons can be concealed under the dress and can match with the requirement of a luxury hotel, said Sinha."ASI has asked us to beef up the security at monuments after the Mumbai incident. Though we are installing scanners at the entry gates, it would not be a fool-proof arrangement," said a senior official of another private security agency which has been given responsibilities of guarding certain monuments in the capital."Unless our guards are equipped with sophisticated weapons they would not be able to manage the situation in case of such terror attacks," he added.
