Washington State Patrol Chooses Smith & Wesson for New Rifle Purchase

The Washington State Patrol is going to follow the familiar path when it comes to purchasing new firearms. 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.

Current Armory Configuration

Since 2009, the Washington State Patrol has been gradually implementing Smith & Wesson's M&P 40 pistol as its standard sidearm. State law enforcement agencies have also ordered 9x19mm and .45 ACP variants of this pistol. The agency's special operations units reportedly still utilize H&K MP5 submachine guns, along with M16 and M14 rifles obtained through the Department of Defense 1033 program.

This diverse arsenal represents significant evolution from earlier eras when state police and correctional officers carried lever-action rifles such as the Winchester Model 94.

Leadership Response

Spike Unruh, who serves as president of the Washington State Patrol Trooper's Association, expressed strong support for the decision:

"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."

Civilian Restrictions

While the State Patrol upgrades its equipment, Washington residents face restrictions on purchasing similar firearms. Under the recently enacted HB140, Washington citizens are currently prohibited from acquiring the same Smith & Wesson AR-pattern rifles being purchased for law enforcement use.