Sheriff's office to upgrade armory

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office received the go-ahead to replace 30 handguns for its law enforcement officers.

The Adams County Commissioners approved a proposal by consensus to acquire 30 Smith & Wesson 40-calibur handguns on Aug. 22.

There are currently 30 firearms that are out of service because they are worn out.

According to Sheriff Doug Barger, some of the firearms currently in use are reaching their lifespan and starting to malfunction.

Sheriff Doug Barger and Undersheriff John Hunt presented information based on researching options with three firearms manufacturers.

“Smith & Wesson has cut a deal that is very enticing,” Barger explained.

“With Smith & Wesson, not only did we like the gun, but they by far gave us a good price,” Hunt added.

Smith & Wesson will sell each handgun at $382 each, and will accept six as a trade in for $345. Hunt said additional firearms in various conditions currently in evidence may also be used as trade in.

The sheriff’s office will have to purchase new holsters and extra magazines.

Total cost, not including the firearms in evidence as trade in, is $4,127.25 for firearms, holsters and magazines.

Regardless if that (firearms in evidence) shaves some off the cost or not, that’s an extremely good price,” Hunt said.

Smith & Wesson will take the handguns, holsters and magazines on trade in. Hunt and Barger reassured the commissioners that trading in firearms was a common practice and the county is not liable for the traded-in weapons after the transaction.