The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is getting a whole lot of new guns – 341 brand-new Glock 47 pistols – to replace what county law enforcement officials say are worn-out sidearms now being carried by deputies and detention officers.

According to an agenda item set for the Board of Commissioners’ Thursday, Oct. 16 meeting, police departments and sheriff’s departments typically swap out their issued pistols every seven or eight years due to of wear and tear – especially when it comes to the glowing night sights that don’t require any external light source.

The last time Guilford County replaced its guns was in 2016. Before that it was in 2009, and, prior to that, in 2002.

The purchase comes with a total price tag of $249,612 using the North Carolina state contract with Amchar Wholesale Inc.

However, the county is getting a break on the bill thanks to a trade-in deal:

Amchar has agreed to give the county $115,495 for 418 old guns that are no longer in service. Once that trade-in value is deducted, the net payment from Guilford County taxpayers will be $134,117.

A note from the Sheriff’s Office to the commissioners states, “Due to the dangerous nature of law enforcement work, it is essential that issued firearms operate as designed at all times.”

Sheriff Danny Rogers, through Capt. Wes Mecham, is asking the commissioners to approve the deal at their Thursday, Oct. 16 meeting.

The guns being replaced are Glock models 17 and 19 – both 9mm pistols that have been in service for years.

The new model, the Glock 47, will take their place.

The board action on the agenda calls for approving the purchase and also authorizes disposing of the old firearms.