"A firearm is a tool of last resort. Respect it accordingly."
Legal Framework for Armed Security in Liberia
Instructor Sele: Before you ever touch a firearm on duty, you must understand the legal ground you stand on. In Liberia, armed security is tightly regulated — and it should be. This module establishes the laws, licences, and limits that govern every armed guard at SafeHaven.
Section 1 — The Legal Basis for Armed Private Security
In Liberia, private security companies that provide armed guard services operate under the authority of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Ministry of Justice. To carry a firearm on duty, a guard must hold a valid personal firearms permit issued under Liberian law AND must have completed SafeHaven's certified firearms training programme. Neither condition alone is sufficient — both are required.
Firearms used by SafeHaven guards are company-issued, registered, and stored in a licensed armoury. A guard may never carry a personal firearm on duty, regardless of whether they hold a private permit.
Section 2 — The Licence to Carry
Your firearms licence specifies: the type of weapon you are authorised to carry (sidearm, shotgun, rifle), the conditions under which you may carry (on-duty only, specific post), and the jurisdiction within which the licence is valid.
Carrying a firearm outside these conditions is a criminal offence. If your licence expires, you must immediately surrender the firearm to the armoury and notify your supervisor. You may not carry on an expired licence under any circumstances.
Section 3 — Rules of Engagement (ROE)
SafeHaven's Rules of Engagement govern the circumstances in which an armed guard may draw, present, or discharge their weapon. The ROE reflects Liberian law and SafeHaven policy: a firearm may only be drawn when a threat has been identified that cannot be managed by lower levels of force; a firearm may only be discharged as a last resort when life is in immediate, unavoidable danger.
Warning shots are prohibited in all SafeHaven operations. Every discharge must be reported to the LNP and to SafeHaven operations immediately.
Section 4 — Criminal Liability
If a guard uses a firearm unlawfully — including excessive force, negligent discharge, or shooting an unarmed or fleeing suspect — they are personally criminally liable under Liberian criminal law. "I was following orders" is not a defence. Know the law. Act within it. Every time.
- •Both a personal firearms permit AND SafeHaven certification are required to carry on duty
- •Only company-issued, registered firearms may be carried — never personal weapons
- •Your licence specifies the exact weapon and conditions authorised
- •Warning shots are prohibited in all SafeHaven operations
- •Unlawful use of a firearm results in personal criminal liability — no exceptions
"I have personally suspended guards for carrying their own licensed pistol to work. It sounds harmless — 'it's legal, I have a permit' — but that weapon is not registered to the post, not on the armoury manifest, and not covered by client insurance. The moment something happens, you are alone, legally. Company weapons only. Always."
Under Liberian law, a private security guard may carry a firearm on duty only if: