Is a civilian who operates as part of a volunteer security force armed only with small arms afforded legal protection from the effects of war?

A civilian who operates as part of a volunteer security force and is armed only with small arms does not qualify for legal protection under international humanitarian law (IHL) the same way that combatants or organized armed forces do. IHL distinguishes between combatants and civilians, and while the presence of volunteers may add layers of complication, the fundamental principle remains that unarmed civilians are protected from attack unless and for such time as they take a direct part in hostilities.

In this case, the individual, being part of an armed volunteer group, may be seen as directly participating in hostilities, thereby losing their protection against the effects of war unless they are operating within a legal framework that grants them combatant status. This means that despite their intention to protect civilians, their active participation in armed violence precludes them from the protections afforded to those who refrain from combat activities.

Thus, stating that they would be afforded legal protection simply because they are part of a volunteer security force and armed with small arms is inaccurate, which makes the answer that asserts they are not legally protected from the effects of war correct.