Washington State Patrol Buying Smith & Wesson Rifles
The Washington State Patrol is going to follow Shania Twain’s advice—they are going to “dance with the one that brought you.” Errrr, sort of. After a long association with Smith & Wesson, the staties say that it’s time to buy new rifles, and they’re going to stick with the manufacturer that’s served them for years.
Police firepower @ TFB:
A well-stocked armory
The Washington State Patrol moved to a gradual implementation of Smith & Wesson’s M&P 40 pistol back in 2009, along with orders from state law enforcement agencies for the 9x19mm and .45 ACP versions of that pistol as well. Last we heard, they still had H&K MP5 submachine guns in the system for special operations units, as well as M16 and M14 rifles acquired through the Department of Defense 1033 program.
Not all of these firearms are used by all police at all times, but buying the new S&W carbines for its troopers shows things have come a long way from the old days, when state police and prison guards were toting lever-action rifles like the Winchester Model 94.
Reaction to the buy
Spike Unruh, president of the Washington State Patrol Trooper’s Association, said this after the purchase:
“I am pleased to announce that the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is replacing its aging patrol rifle. In my opinion, there was no other place to look other than the one manufacturer who has protected our beloved Troopers for over 100 years.
The manufacturer who has made it a mission to provide Law Enforcement with the most dependable and reliable firearms in the industry. A manufacturer that treats its Law Enforcement and Military community as family.”
Washington’s taxpaying citizens may be less enthused at the purchase, as they themselves are currently banned from purchasing the same Smith & Wesson AR-pattern rifles under HB140 (more on that here).
