I am currently employed as an Armed Special Conservator of the Peace at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in the Security Services Department.  I am also a Watch Commander and supervise other officers. Prior to this I was an armed police officer for six years.  I have had to complete both a law enforcement firearms course along with a private security firearms qualification course.  I am accutely aware of the firearms training requirements and the need for them for both industries.  I have successfully qualified with a firearm for the past 11 years, conforming to the established private security services regulations established by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. I am absolutely aware that police officers require a higher level of proficiency with weapons than do members of the private security community. However, the firearms course that we utilize in private security is intense and certainly prepares us for our role as a security function.  As one who has participated in BOTH firearms programs, I do not believe that it is feasible or necessary to require SCOP officers to now qualify under a law enforcement firearm course.  These requirements are excessive, will impose additional expense to our agency, and challenge our current staffing to provide this enhanced training.  As such, I am oppossed to the current proposed regulatory changes to the SCOP Firearms regulations and request that this part of the regulatory process be reverted back to the standard Private Security Services training requirements.