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.
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You couldn’t pay me to carry a Glock. Durable and reliable? Yes. But it wouldn’t be long before shot myself in the leg. They have no real safety.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to shoot.
8 Easier said than than done when you’re grabbing your pistol in the heat of the moment. And then the trigger is easily mistaken for the trigger guard in Glocks. So you shoot yourself in your right thigh.
If you like ’em, you buy ’em. Not for me, thanks.
how is your thigh, healed ?
Wes Mecham is a Captain now? Isn’t that the guy that’s in the video everyone uses to train officers about situational awareness? As in don’t do what this guy did? Seems like that caused a whole lot of extra training for all the Deputies over there when that went down.
Guilford County’s 9 minutes of shame:
https://youtu.be/US6vIJEw-8E?si=3Csw_joDHTXwOwQJ
There are varying opinions of how the officer handled the situation. People can view the video and judge for themselves.
I think he did a fine job. Next time don’t shoot at the cops, my brother.
Barney, what would you have done different? These type of situations happen on a regular basis, as in making contact with suspicious people at certain times of the night, etc.. 95% of them end without a fight. This guy had a gun, wasn’t supposed to have a gun, had a warrant and knew he would be charged with the gun, but the end of the day if he had told the officer, he wouldn’t have been shot. He is lucky he lived. Watching the video, I believe the Deputy acted appropriately. The SBI also agreed.
So again Barney, What would you have done?
Not to criticize the officer but it you watch the video you will see indications that the suspect was going to do something. The way he answers questions, backing up, tapping his pocket when asked if he had a weapon. Time of night. Walking on that particular road. At the minimum he should have immediately called for assist. But deputies are used to working by themselves. You will notice the first officer there is GPD.
i offer you $20 to get one
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F U
The irony of an article about the police using a promotional photo with the Punisher logo is both not lost on me and delicious.
I like the ” A Night Undercover” announcement. Looks like a great event with great people. I am signing up. I hear seats are going fast. I am reserving a table with 7 of my friends. Going to purchase books and get them signed. Hope to see my GOP Summerfield friends there.
I think so too. I watched some of their stories on YouTube and found their adventures highly entertaining and informative.
Why Glock? There are numerous handgun manufacturers that are as good if not better. Follow the money.
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Really! American guns are superior in many ways, and the profits don’t go to Austria.
How about an 8 round revolver? Safe, will not jam.
I’m with you Miller , I have 6 revolvers 4, 6 shot 2 8 shot none have safeties I also have 2 Colt 1911’s I have never had an issue with accidental discharge I’m with Austin they don’t go boom without a finger on the trigger. I won’t call Glocks junk they are just not for me. To many better options
Yes Reb, revolvers are no problem. They just won’t discharge accidentally. Have you tried a Glock? In my opinion they are unsafe. And ugly. And bulky. And cheap looking. And foreign.
Not my cup of tea.
Austin I have tried Glocks A friend I go shooting with has a 9 and a .40. They shoot well and are accurate I don’t like the style or feel, too bulky. I’m old school I have an Sig and a Taurus both have safeties and an actual hammer to let me know it’s cocked. You’re able to carry them cocked and locked. Never had an accidental discharge
Choice of handguns is, IMO, purely personal. I understand the need for standardization in PDs and other such organizations, you should carry and use what you are most comfortable with. I personally prefer the good old .45 caliber M1911A1 with a 230 gr HydroShok load. Yeah, I only have 8 rounds, but look at the 1 round stop percentage versus calibers.
I do find it amusing when someone (and I’m including LEOs I’ve encountered) berate me for carrying a weapon with the hammer cocked. . Note for these uninformed…the 1911 has thumb safety AND a grip safety. How many does your weapon have?
Again, personal preference.
Alan I’m with you. We call that kind of carry
Cocked and locked. Kudos to you. I have always loved my Colt 1911
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Agreed. I have an old Series 70 Colt 1911 that is my “go to’ gun if I were in trouble. Just 7 bullets, but they’re 230 grain HydraShoks. That’ll take care of the problem. And it just “feels right” in your hand.
The real reason for the new guns was the Sheriff’s way of getting people to stop talking about his cowboy hat. The sad thing is, he may get re-elected.
What was the purpose of buying new guns if the current ones were still viable? Maybe the sheriff needed to get a new one to go with his western gun belt, and of course, his western hat.