The firearms industry in America sustains around 400,000 jobs – this ranges from those directly involved with the creation and distribution of weapons, to those that supply the industry. A vast amount of gun owners come from the civilian sector, although the United States government employs thousands of American men and women across multiple law enforcement and espionage agencies who are often required to carry protection. While the specific duties of these federal employees vary, both across and within agencies, at the most fundamental level, their job is to protect American citizens.
Numerous federal law enforcement jobs are often high-risk occupations which is why many federal agents are required to be armed at all times. Those with the Treasury Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Marshals Service – as well as those in the CIA and other intelligence organizations – all comprise those that need extra protection.
24/7 Wall St. identified the firearms used by federal agents by using a range of government documents, as well as media coverage and private sector press releases. Because information surrounding the work of federal agencies is limited, this list is not exhaustive and only includes firearms verified to be in use, currently or recently, by certain federal agencies. Listed base prices are estimates only and can vary widely – and several of these weapons are not for sale to the general public.
In much of the country, semi-automatic handguns, typically chambered for 9mm ammunition, are standard issue sidearms for law enforcement of all jurisdictions, from the federal level to the local, and comprise the majority found here. The most commonly-issued pistols on this list are made by major manufacturers, including Glock and Sig Sauer. (Here is a look at America’s largest gunmakers.)
This list also includes more specialized weapons suited to specific purposes and circumstances. These include shotguns, long-range rifles, assault rifles, and submachine guns. Some of these types of weapons are reserved for special units within an agency, such as FBI SWAT teams and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tactical Units. (Here is a look at America’s 17 most elite special forces.)
Here are firearms used by U.S. federal agents.
AX AICS Remington 700
- Firearm type(s): Bolt-action rifle
- Chambered in: Multiple
- Est. base price: $2,000
- Users include: U.S. Secret Service
Glock 23
Source: Courtesy of GLOCK
- Firearm type(s): Compact semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: .40 S&W
- Est. base price: $540
- Users include: FBI (secondary weapon)
Sig Sauer P229
Source: Courtesy of Sig Sauer
- Firearm type(s): Compact semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $1,400
- Users include: U.S. Secret Service
STI 2011
Source: Courtesy of STACCATO
- Firearm type(s): Full-size and compact semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $2,000
- Users include: U.S. Marshals Service Special Operations Group
Sig Sauer P320
- Firearm type(s): Full-size and compact semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP
- Est. base price: $735
- Users include: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Glock 22
Source: Slantsixx / iStock via Getty Images
- Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: .40 S&W
- Est. base price: $540
- Users include: FBI (secondary weapon)
Springfield M1911A1
Source: Courtesy of SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
- Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: .45 ACP
- Est. base price: $725
- Users include: FBI SWAT
Glock 17
Source: Malachy120 / iStock via Getty Images
- Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $540
- Users include: FBI
Knight’s Armament Company SR-16 CQB
Source: Ben185 / Getty Images
- Firearm type(s): Selective-fire rifle
- Chambered in: 5.56×45mm NATO
- Est. base price: N/A
- Users include: U.S. Secret Service
Knight’s Armament Company (KAC) SR-25/MK11 Mod 0
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Firearm type(s): Semi-automatic rifle
- Chambered in: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Est. base price: N/A
- Users include: U.S. Secret Service
Glock 30
Source: Courtesy of GLOCK
- Firearm type(s): Subcompact semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: .45 ACP
- Est. base price: $550
- Users include: CIA
Smith & Wesson M&P 9
Source: Courtesy of Smith & Wesson
- Firearm type(s): Subcompact, compact, and full-size semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $500
- Users include: CIA
Glock 27
- Firearm type(s): Subcompact semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: .40 S&W
- Est. base price: $560
- Users include: FBI (secondary weapon)
FN P90
Source: Courtesy of FN America, LLC
- Firearm type(s): Submachine gun
- Chambered in: 5.7Ã28mm
- Est. base price: $2,000
- Users include: U.S. Secret Service
Glock 47
Source: Courtesy of GLOCK
- Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $620
- Users include: U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Sig Sauer P226
Source: timothytsuihin / Flickr
- Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $1,200
- Users include: CIA, FBI SWAT
Colt M4 Carbine
Source: Courtesy of Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC
- Firearm type(s): Assault rifle
- Chambered in: 5.56Ã45mm NATO
- Est. base price: $1,100
- Users include: FBI SWAT, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tactical Units
Rock River Arms LAR-15
Source: Courtesy of ROCK RIVER ARMS
- Firearm type(s): Select-fire assault rifle
- Chambered in: 5.56×45mm NATO
- Est. base price: $1,000
- Users include: FBI SWAT, DEA, U.S. Marshals
Glock 26
- Firearm type(s): Subcompact semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $540
- Users include: DEA, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
H&K MP5
Source: Courtesy of HK-usa.com
- Firearm type(s): Submachine gun
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $3,000
- Users include: FBI SWAT, U.S. Marshals Service Special Operations Group, U.S. Secret Service
Glock 19
Source: sand86 / iStock via Getty Images
- Firearm type(s): Compact semi-automatic pistol
- Chambered in: 9mm
- Est. base price: $510
- Users include: FBI, CIA, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service
Remington 870
- Firearm type(s): Pump-action shotgun
- Chambered in: 12 ga
- Est. base price: $500
- Users include: FBI SWAT, DEA, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Secret Service, DHS
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