MARYLAND ARMED SECURITY GUARD EXAM PRACTICE
Exam TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) plus rationales 2025/2026
Q&A|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary responsibility of an armed security guard?
A) Make arrests for all criminal activity
B) Protect life and property
C) Enforce federal law only
D) Conduct investigations independently
Answer: B – Protect life and property. The main duty of an armed guard is to ensure safety and
security, not to act as law enforcement.
2. Which of the following is required before carrying a firearm on duty in Maryland?
A) Being over 18 years old
B) Completion of state-mandated firearm training and certification
C) Only written permission from the employer
D) Possessing any firearm
Answer: B – Completion of state-mandated firearm training and certification. Maryland law
requires armed guards to complete certified firearms training before carrying a weapon.
3. When approaching a potentially armed intruder, a security guard should first:
A) Draw their weapon immediately
B) Attempt verbal de-escalation and maintain a safe distance
C) Chase the intruder
D) Ignore and call law enforcement later
Answer: B – Attempt verbal de-escalation and maintain a safe distance. Safety and minimizing
conflict are top priorities.
4. Maryland’s law regarding use of force allows a security guard to:
A) Use deadly force whenever they feel threatened
B) Use reasonable force proportional to the threat
C) Only restrain a suspect verbally
D) Use force to punish offenders
Answer: B – Use reasonable force proportional to the threat. Deadly force is justified only when
facing imminent danger of death or serious injury.
,5. What is the proper way to store a firearm when not on duty?
A) Under the guard’s pillow
B) In a secure, locked container away from unauthorized persons
C) In the glove compartment of a car
D) At the workplace desk
Answer: B – In a secure, locked container away from unauthorized persons. Firearms must be
secured to prevent accidents and unauthorized access.
6. What is the first action a security guard should take after using a firearm in a defensive
situation?
A) Leave the scene immediately
B) Report the incident to law enforcement and the employer
C) Hide the firearm
D) Continue patrol without reporting
Answer: B – Report the incident to law enforcement and the employer. Maryland law requires
prompt reporting of firearm use.
7. A security guard notices a suspicious package. What is the safest approach?
A) Touch or move the package
B) Evacuate the area and call law enforcement
C) Open the package to check contents
D) Ignore it
Answer: B – Evacuate the area and call law enforcement. Safety protocols prioritize preventing
injury from potential explosives or hazardous materials.
8. During firearm qualification, what is the standard stance used for accuracy in Maryland?
A) Weaver stance
B) Modified isosceles stance
C) Hip fire stance
D) Kneeling only
Answer: B – Modified isosceles stance. This stance is widely used for stability and accuracy in
Maryland armed guard training.
9. How often must a Maryland armed guard renew firearm qualification?
A) Every year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 5 years
D) No renewal needed after initial certification
Answer: B – Every 2 years. Maryland requires periodic requalification to maintain proficiency.
, 10. When is it acceptable to leave a weapon unattended on the oob?
A) Never
B) When taking a short break
C) Only if someone trustworthy is present
D) When storing it in a vehicle
Answer: A – Never. Leaving a firearm unattended creates legal liability and safety risks.
11. Which type of ammunition is generally required for Maryland armed security guards
during duty?
A) Hollow-point rounds
B) Full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds
C) Rubber bullets only
D) Any available ammunition
Answer: A – Hollow-point rounds. Hollow-point ammunition is preferred for security because it
reduces the risk of over-penetration.
12. A client instructs a guard to take action outside of legal authority. The guard should:
A) Comply with instructions
B) Refuse and report if necessary
C) Take only minor action
D) Ignore the request
Answer: B – Refuse and report if necessary. Guards must operate within the law regardless of
client demands.
13. What is the minimum age to become a licensed armed security guard in Maryland?
A) 18
B) 21
C) 25
D) 16
Answer: B – 21. Maryland law requires armed guards to be at least 21 years old.
14. Which document must an armed security guard carry at all times while on duty?
A) Driver’s license only
B) Security officer license and firearm certification
C) Employer ID only
D) Personal firearm registration
Answer: B – Security officer license and firearm certification. These documents verify legal
authority to carry a weapon.
Exam TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) plus rationales 2025/2026
Q&A|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary responsibility of an armed security guard?
A) Make arrests for all criminal activity
B) Protect life and property
C) Enforce federal law only
D) Conduct investigations independently
Answer: B – Protect life and property. The main duty of an armed guard is to ensure safety and
security, not to act as law enforcement.
2. Which of the following is required before carrying a firearm on duty in Maryland?
A) Being over 18 years old
B) Completion of state-mandated firearm training and certification
C) Only written permission from the employer
D) Possessing any firearm
Answer: B – Completion of state-mandated firearm training and certification. Maryland law
requires armed guards to complete certified firearms training before carrying a weapon.
3. When approaching a potentially armed intruder, a security guard should first:
A) Draw their weapon immediately
B) Attempt verbal de-escalation and maintain a safe distance
C) Chase the intruder
D) Ignore and call law enforcement later
Answer: B – Attempt verbal de-escalation and maintain a safe distance. Safety and minimizing
conflict are top priorities.
4. Maryland’s law regarding use of force allows a security guard to:
A) Use deadly force whenever they feel threatened
B) Use reasonable force proportional to the threat
C) Only restrain a suspect verbally
D) Use force to punish offenders
Answer: B – Use reasonable force proportional to the threat. Deadly force is justified only when
facing imminent danger of death or serious injury.
,5. What is the proper way to store a firearm when not on duty?
A) Under the guard’s pillow
B) In a secure, locked container away from unauthorized persons
C) In the glove compartment of a car
D) At the workplace desk
Answer: B – In a secure, locked container away from unauthorized persons. Firearms must be
secured to prevent accidents and unauthorized access.
6. What is the first action a security guard should take after using a firearm in a defensive
situation?
A) Leave the scene immediately
B) Report the incident to law enforcement and the employer
C) Hide the firearm
D) Continue patrol without reporting
Answer: B – Report the incident to law enforcement and the employer. Maryland law requires
prompt reporting of firearm use.
7. A security guard notices a suspicious package. What is the safest approach?
A) Touch or move the package
B) Evacuate the area and call law enforcement
C) Open the package to check contents
D) Ignore it
Answer: B – Evacuate the area and call law enforcement. Safety protocols prioritize preventing
injury from potential explosives or hazardous materials.
8. During firearm qualification, what is the standard stance used for accuracy in Maryland?
A) Weaver stance
B) Modified isosceles stance
C) Hip fire stance
D) Kneeling only
Answer: B – Modified isosceles stance. This stance is widely used for stability and accuracy in
Maryland armed guard training.
9. How often must a Maryland armed guard renew firearm qualification?
A) Every year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 5 years
D) No renewal needed after initial certification
Answer: B – Every 2 years. Maryland requires periodic requalification to maintain proficiency.
, 10. When is it acceptable to leave a weapon unattended on the oob?
A) Never
B) When taking a short break
C) Only if someone trustworthy is present
D) When storing it in a vehicle
Answer: A – Never. Leaving a firearm unattended creates legal liability and safety risks.
11. Which type of ammunition is generally required for Maryland armed security guards
during duty?
A) Hollow-point rounds
B) Full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds
C) Rubber bullets only
D) Any available ammunition
Answer: A – Hollow-point rounds. Hollow-point ammunition is preferred for security because it
reduces the risk of over-penetration.
12. A client instructs a guard to take action outside of legal authority. The guard should:
A) Comply with instructions
B) Refuse and report if necessary
C) Take only minor action
D) Ignore the request
Answer: B – Refuse and report if necessary. Guards must operate within the law regardless of
client demands.
13. What is the minimum age to become a licensed armed security guard in Maryland?
A) 18
B) 21
C) 25
D) 16
Answer: B – 21. Maryland law requires armed guards to be at least 21 years old.
14. Which document must an armed security guard carry at all times while on duty?
A) Driver’s license only
B) Security officer license and firearm certification
C) Employer ID only
D) Personal firearm registration
Answer: B – Security officer license and firearm certification. These documents verify legal
authority to carry a weapon.
