Brinks Inc. is one of the largest security service companies in the United States, according to the company's homepage. While Brinks offers a number of different security jobs, many of them require personnel to carry firearms on duty. Candidates must meet several requirements to fill these positions, however.

Age

All Brinks Inc. security guards who work armed have to be at least 21, which is also the age required to buy and own a handgun. In addition, an armed security guard must have a carry permit for the weapon. The sidearm must be registered in the guard's home state if registration is required for handguns.

Qualification

An armed security guard candidate must qualify on a firing range with his weapon. The qualification exam takes several hours. A range master oversees the testing. The candidate must shoot with her handgun, which must be of a type and caliber that Brinks Inc. will allow, such as a 9 mm or 45-caliber. The candidate must score a certain number of points, determined by where the rounds impact the silhouette target. The score is determined by the range master, who will pass or fail the applicant.

Testing

All applicants for a Brinks Inc. armed security position must pass both a physical test as well as a drug test. The drug test is done first, via a urine sample. Once the drug test is complete, applicants must complete a D.O.T. physical exam to check for physical problems that would prevent them from doing any parts of the security job.