Policy Text
Page 1 of 7 2/01 (Rev 6/17)
Authorized Firearms and Ammunition
I. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this General Order i s to describe Department pol icy and restrictions
regarding authorized fir earms and ammunition.
II. Policy Statement
It shall be the policy of this Depar tment to restrict firearms and ammunition carried on
duty by members of this Departm ent to those firearms and ammuni tion which conform
to the requirements outlined in th is document. These restricti ons shall apply to all
firearms and ammunition carried wh ile on duty as a primary or b ackup (hideout) firearm
or ammunition. The Sheriff or Under sheriff may make exceptions to this Order for
specific functions or details. Those exceptions must be in wri ting, and a copy of the
written exception shall be kep t in the employee’s division file as well as at the
Department’s range. III. Definitions
A. Firearms shall be defined as any weapon which is designed to expel a
projectile by the acti on of an explosion.
B. Ammunition is defined as cart ridge cases, primers, bullets o r propellant
powder designed for use in any firearm.
IV. Authorized Firearms and Ammunition
A. A Department duty firearm is a handgun, shotgun, rifle, or l auncher issued
by the Department, which is saf ety checked by the range and is used by
the officer on-duty and qualifi ed with per General Order 2/02.
1. All department duty firearms s hall be maintained in accordan ce with
the manufacturers’ and Range St aff’s recommendations.
2. Failure to properly maintai n department duty rifles, as well as any
unauthorized modifications, will re sult in the authorization fo r on-
duty use to be revoked.
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B. A Personal duty firearm is a handgun, or rifle purchased by an officer,
which is inspected by the range and is used by the officer on-d uty. The
Officer shall qualify with it per General Order 2/02. Personal duty firearms
may be carried on-duty when the "Authorized Duty Firearm" form
(Appendix A) has been approved. All records of Personal duty f irearms
will be maintained by Range Staff.
1. All personal duty firearms sha ll be maintained in accordance with
the manufacturers’ and Range Staff’ s recommendations. Failure to
properly maintain personal duty fi rearms and magazines, as well as
any unauthorized modifications, will result in the authorizatio n for
on-duty use to be revoked.
C. A Hideout handgun is an optional Depar tment approved firear m carried by
officers during the course of their duties which is carried on their person,
totally out of public view and is in addition to their Departme nt or personal
duty firearm. The hideout handgun must be secured in a holster or
carrying device that will ensure retention. The officer shall qualify with it
per General Order 2/02.
D. An off-duty firearm may be carried while on personal, off-d uty time in a
non-enforcement capacity. There is no restriction placed on ma ke, model
or caliber.
E. Authorized Duty Firearms
1. All firearms carried on-duty s hall be of a type approved or iss ued by
the Department; this includes handguns, shotguns, rifles, and
launchers. The Rangemaster sha ll retain the master list of
approved weapons, approved modifica tions, and required training
for all firearms. The Rangemaste r may amend the list with the
approval of Executive Staff.
a. Shotguns and launchers shall be available for Officers to
carry during the duty shift.
b. Rifles may be deployed by o fficers approved to carry the la w
enforcement rifle. Officers m ay utilize a department issued
rifle or purchase an ap proved rifle/carbine.
H. Ammunition for on-duty use sha ll be issued by the Sheriff’s Department.
a. Less lethal shotguns and launc hers shall only be loaded with less
lethal ammunition
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b. Lethal shotgun ammunition sha ll only be used with the approv al of the
Sheriff, Undersheriff or their designee
II. Holsters
1. The Range will maintain a list of recommended holsters.
J. Magazines
1. Handgun magazines for on-duty use shall be OEM magazines.
After market handgun magazines are not approved for on-duty use .
2. Rifle magazines for on-duty us e shall be a type approved by the
Rangemaster. The Range will main tain a list of approved rifle
magazines.
V. Care, Modification, Maint enance and Storage of Firearms
A. Firearms modifications and repairs
1. Any modification to firearms used or carried on-duty, whether
Department issued or personally o wned, requires Rangemaster
approval prior to use or deployment.
2. All approved modifications wil l be documented and records
maintained by Range Staff.
3. Officers shall maintain thei r weapons pursuant to their trai ning. No
officer shall modify and/or r epair any firearm approved for on- duty
use without the express consent o f the Rangemaster. Any repair s,
modifications or replacement o f weapon components to personally
owned duty weapons shall be done b y a