One of the primary obligations of the federal government is to protect American citizens and keep the country safe from threats, both foreign and domestic. In service of this function, thousands of men and women are employed in law enforcement and espionage agencies at the highest levels of government.
Law enforcement agencies under the Treasury Department and Department of Homeland Security, as well as the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Marshals Service, are tasked with enforcing federal laws and fighting many of the most serious of crimes, including drug smuggling, murder for hire, treason, counterfeiting, human trafficking, and terrorism. Other agencies, like the CIA, have agents around the world gathering intelligence to inform national security security policy.
The risks associated with these jobs are not small, and many federal agents are required to be armed at all times.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed a range of government documents, as well as media coverage and private sector press releases, to identify the firearms used by federal agents. 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 many of these firearms are not for sale to the general public.
The majority of firearms on this list are semi-automatic handguns, typically 9mm, which are standard issue sidearms for law enforcement of all jurisdictions, from federal to local. The most commonly-issued pistols on this list are made by Glock and Sig Sauer. (Here is a look at the most popular police firearms.)
Other, more specialized weapons on this list include shotguns, high-powered 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 the 17 most elite U.S. special forces.)
Click here to see 22 guns used by US 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
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Glock 23
> Firearm type(s): Compact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .40 S&W
> Est. base price: $540
> Users include: FBI (secondary weapon)
Sig Sauer P229
> Firearm type(s): Compact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $1,400
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
STI 2011
> 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
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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
> Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .40 S&W
> Est. base price: $540
> Users include: FBI (secondary weapon)
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Springfield M1911A1
> Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .45 ACP
> Est. base price: $725
> Users include: FBI SWAT
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Glock 17
> 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
> Firearm type(s): Selective-fire rifle
> Chambered in: 5.56×45mm NATO
> Est. base price: N/A
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
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Knight’s Armament Company (KAC) SR-25/MK11 Mod 0
> Firearm type(s): Semi-automatic rifle
> Chambered in: 7.62x51mm NATO
> Est. base price: N/A
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
Glock 30
> Firearm type(s): Subcompact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .45 ACP
> Est. base price: $550
> Users include: CIA
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Smith & Wesson M&P 9
> 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
> Firearm type(s): Submachine gun
> Chambered in: 5.7Ã28mm
> Est. base price: $2,000
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
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Glock 47
> 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
> Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $1,200
> Users include: CIA, FBI SWAT
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Colt M4 Carbine
> 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
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Rock River Arms LAR-15
> 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
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H&K MP5
> 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
> 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
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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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