Columbia Duties of licensee ordinance (§ 13-58)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article III. Armed Guards and Security Guards
In short: Licensed armed guards must carry their license while on duty and show it to police on request, or automatically in any official contact. They may not wear uniforms or insignia substantially similar to Boone County law enforcement's, may not pose as officers, and must report any firearm discharge in city limits to the chief within 24 hours.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) Each person licensed hereunder shall carry on said person at all times while on duty, and display upon request of any police officer, a currently valid armed guard license. In the event that a licensee comes into official contact with a police officer, said guard shall display said license automatically and without request.
(b) No person issued a license hereunder shall wear any uniform or insignia which is substantially similar to that of any uniform of any law enforcement agency operating in Boone County, Missouri, nor shall any licensee purport to be a member of any such law enforcement agency.
(c) Armed guards shall report to the chief the circumstances surrounding any discharge of firearms within the territorial limits of the City of Columbia within twenty-four (24) hours.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-58
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.