Smith & Wesson Guns OKed by DHS for Personally Owned Weapons Program

Jan. 6, 2006
New program allows DHS and ICE agents to carry personally owned guns for on-duty and off-duty use

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary, 153-year old, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, announced today that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has authorized ten Smith & Wesson revolver models for inclusion in the Personally Owned Weapons Program.

The newly established Personally Owned Weapons Program allows DHS and ICE agents and officers to purchase and carry personally owned firearms for on-duty and off-duty use. Currently, ten Smith & Wesson revolver models are included on the list of firearms from which approximately 10,000 agents and officers will be authorized to purchase and carry.

"Through our partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, we have been able to further establish ourselves as a key supplier of high quality firearms and services to the military, to federal law enforcement agencies and to the federal government," said Leland Nichols, Smith & Wesson's Vice President of Sales. "The Personally Owned Weapons Program allows agents to select firearms based on their individual preferences, while ensuring a level of quality and reliability for each firearm. We look forward to working with the DHS, its agents and officers in this and other capacities."

A wide selection of Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers is included on the list of authorized Personally Owned Weapons Program firearms. The ten revolvers include a diverse mix of stainless steel, scandium alloy, carbon steel, titanium, and aluminum alloy components. Revolvers from Smith & Wesson's Airlite Series, Airweight Series and Chiefs Special Series are represented on the list. Authorized revolvers on the list include: the Model 340PD, Model 342, Model 36LS, Model 360PD, Model 37, Model 442, Model 60LS, Model 637, Model 638 and Model 642LS.