Columbia Violation of article ordinance (§ 13-59)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article III. Armed Guards and Security Guards
In short: Employing an armed or security guard without a current license, hiding facts about a license's validity, or allowing firearms or ammunition other than the type used in the licensing test is a Class B misdemeanor. A guard on duty without a valid license on their person commits a Class C misdemeanor.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) Any person who shall employ or retain any armed guard or security guard who does not possess a current license, or any person who shall conceal in any manner any information or facts concerning the validity of any such license, or any person who shall instigate, authorize, or allow the use of firearms or
ammunition other than the type with which the test, upon which such license is based, was taken, shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
(b) Any armed guard or security guard who does not have a valid armed guard or security guard license respectively upon said person while on duty, shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-59
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.