Opinion: Why Security Pros Can’t Afford to Wait on AI Weapons Detection

Physical security has always been about deterrence, not convenience. But walk through any busy mall, stadium, or transit hub today, and you’ll see what happens when the industry drags its feet: overwhelmed guards, half-functional cameras, and a public that knows the system won’t catch much more than petty theft.

The pressure is obvious. Guns are showing up in places they shouldn’t, knives slip past bag checks, and security leaders are stuck explaining to boards why the “layered security” PowerPoint didn’t translate into real protection on the ground.

AI-driven weapons detection is no longer an experimental add-on—it’s the baseline. Systems that can scan crowds, identify a firearm or blade in real time, and alert staff before a threat escalates are already being trialed across U.S. schools and airports. The technology isn’t perfect, but waiting for 100% accuracy is the same as waiting for the next incident to prove you should have moved faster.

There are risks: false positives that disrupt operations, cost overruns for deployment, and the liability of depending too much on vendors’ “black box” algorithms. But the greater risk is sticking with metal detectors and patrols designed for the 1980s. Threat actors aren’t standing still, and neither should you.

For security buyers, the choice is less about if and more about how: how to integrate AI detection with existing surveillance, how to train staff on alert fatigue, and how to push vendors for transparency and measurable performance. Those who delay will eventually adopt—but they’ll do it under pressure, with fewer options and higher costs.