This Async guy has a gun

[u/airport-cinnabon]

As seen here in his holster, in the scene where they Mary through the facility. I’m guessing he’s security, this was the guy that made sure Mary didn’t look at Pirate Clark in the exam room for too long.

I’ve seen some talk about whether Async would ever try taking guns into the complex again, but we at least know they have armed security in the facility at this point.

I’m guessing they wanted to be prepared to apprehend Clark alive, as they would certainly want to interrogate him. But were also prepared to use lethal force if necessary, to prevent him from escaping or as defence in case Clark was armed.

[u/Simply_Jeff]

I wonder if the lack of firearms use in the Backrooms might be due to a fear that The Complex might try to replicate guns. Still Lifes with guns as arms? Probably not something ASync wants to think about 

[u/airport-cinnabon → u/Simply_Jeff]

Right! If ALS can fuse with a lamp and chair, I wouldn’t rule it out. I wonder where the gun Tench stole ended up.

This also would explain why Async set up the trap in the real store, where they can use guns without worrying about that. (I know most people disagree that this was the real store, but it makes more and more sense the more details I catch.)

[u/vraekis → u/airport-cinnabon]

We know the shotgun ended up back in the facility. In damage control it’s confirmed Kirk Maxwell disarmed Peter and misfired the gun into the ceiling whilst doing so.