702 – Approved Firearms and Employee Requirements

I. Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) employees regarding approved firearms and the required actions and conduct of employees authorized to carry firearms in their HCSO duties in accordance with relevant state and federal laws.

II. Definitions

Armed Detention Officer (ADO): A licensed county jailer who is authorized to carry a firearm while carrying out some of their HCSO duties.

Armor-Piercing Ammunition: Handgun ammunition that is designed primarily for the purpose of penetrating metal or body armor and to be used principally in pistols and revolvers.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF): The federal law enforcement agency responsible for the investigation and prevention of the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, and the illegal use and storage of explosives.

Chemical-Dispensing Device: A device, other than a small chemical dispenser sold commercially for personal protection, that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of dispensing a substance capable of causing an adverse psychological or physiological effect on a human being.

County-Owned Vehicle: A vehicle owned or leased by Harris County or any Harris County agencies or departments.

Deputy: A full-time regular employee who is qualified under Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) regulations for appointment as a peace officer and who works as a peace officer in their duties for HCSO. This designation excludes the elected Sheriff but includes all other qualified employees regardless of their ranks.

Explosive Weapon: Any explosive or incendiary bomb, grenade, rocket, or mine, that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury, death, or substantial property damage, or for the principal purpose of causing such a loud report as to cause undue public alarm or terror, and includes a device designed, made, or adapted for delivery or shooting an explosive weapon.

Firearm: Any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertible to that use.

Firearms Qualification (Qualification): The formal process by which an HCSO employee demonstrates their proficiency with a certain firearm. Upon successful completion of firearms qualification with a certain firearm, an employee is said to be “qualified” with that firearm.

Firearms Training Unit (FTU): The internal HCSO unit responsible for administering training programs and overseeing employee qualifications related to firearms.

Improvised Explosive Device: a completed and operational bomb designed to cause serious bodily injury, death, or substantial property damage that is fabricated in an improvised manner using nonmilitary components. The term does not include:
• Unassembled components that can be legally purchased and possessed without a license, permit, or other governmental approval; or
• An exploding target that is used for firearms practice, sold in kit form, and contains the components of a binary explosive.

Machine Gun: Any firearm that is capable of shooting more than two shots automatically, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.

Non-Field Conditions: Any assignment to a secured facility or other duty where the employee is not normally expected in the course of their shift to respond to law enforcement calls for service. This includes — but is not limited to — administrative or detentions assignments.

Patrol Rifle: Any magazine-fed repeating rifle with iron or open sights or with a frame mounted optical enhancing sighting device, 5 power or less, that is intended to be carried by an individual officer in an official capacity.

Precision Rifle: Any rifle with a frame-mounted optical sighting device greater than five power that is intended to be carried by an individual officer in an official capacity.

Prohibited Weapon: Any weapon listed in Section 46.05 of the Penal Code. At the time of the most recent update to this policy, that includes:
• Explosive weapons and machine guns that are neither:
o registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer record maintained by the ATF or not subject to such registration, nor
o classified as a curio by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ);
• Armor-piercing ammunition;
• Chemical-dispensing devices;
• Zip guns;
• Tire-deflation devices; and
• Improvised Explosive Devices.

Reserve Deputy: A volunteer deputy serving within the Reserve Command. With the limited exception of HCSO Civil Service Rules, reserve deputies are governed by the same laws, policies, and regulations that apply to full-time, regular deputies.

Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR): A rifle having one or more barrels less than 16 inches in length, and any weapon made from a rifle, whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if such weapon, as modified, has an overall length of less than 26 inches.

Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS): A shotgun having one or more barrels less than 18 inches in length and any weapon made from a shotgun (whether by alteration, modification or otherwise) if such a weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.

Suppressor: Any device designed, made, or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm. Under federal law, suppressors are referred to as “silencers” or “mufflers.”

Tire-Deflation Device: A device, including a caltrop or spike strip, that, when driven over, impedes or stops the movement of a wheeled vehicle by puncturing one or more of the vehicle’s tires. The term does not include a traffic control device that:
• is designed to puncture one or more of a vehicle’s tires when driven over in a specific direction; and
• has a clearly visible sign posted in close proximity to the traffic control device that prohibits entry or warns motor vehicle operators of the traffic control device.

Well-Regarded Manufacturer: A manufacturer of firearms or related equipment whose products are generally considered to be of high quality. This category includes the manufacturers explicitly named in this policy with relation to the specific firearms or related equipment for which they are approved. For any manufacturer other than those named in this policy, the FTU has discretion to determine whether any manufacturer meets this standard.

Zip Gun: A device or combination of devices that was not originally a firearm and is adapted to expel a projectile through a smooth-bore or rifled-bore barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance.

III. Policy

It is HCSO’s policy that all HCSO employees who carry firearms in their duties only carry high-quality firearms and are properly trained in the use, safety, and maintenance of all firearms they are authorized to use. This includes both on- and off-duty weapons.

IV. Procedure

General Provisions
Every deputy, reserve deputy, and ADO shall have at least one approved handgun that they demonstrate and maintain proficiency with as a condition of employment.
1. Proficiency
  1. Prior to Authorization
    Prior to their authorization to carry any firearm as part of their assigned duties, every deputy, reserve deputy, and ADO shall demonstrate proficiency in the use of that firearm as described in Policy 705 — Firearms Training and Qualification.
  2. Demonstrations of Continued Proficiency
    Each employee authorized to carry a firearm as part of their assigned duties must continue to regularly qualify with that firearm as described in Policy 705 — Firearms Training and Qualification.
  3. Monitoring
    A TCOLE-certified firearms instructor with the FTU shall monitor all demonstrations of firearms proficiency.
2. Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC)
  An employee’s possession of an LTC is irrelevant for purposes of this policy and shall not be used to justify any policy violations.
3. Safety Mechanisms
  With the exception of magazine disconnects, safety devices shall not be deactivated. Magazine disconnects may be deactivated at the employee’s discretion.
4. Clean, Safe, and Functional
  1. Prior to being approved for use, every firearm must pass a mechanical and functional check given by a TCOLE-certified firearms instructor with the FTU.
  2. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure that their firearms are clean, safe, and functional at all times. This applies regardless of whether the employee is on- or off-duty.
  3. At any time, any supervisor may inspect any firearm carried by an employee under their command to ensure that the firearm is clean, safe, and functional.
  4. If any employee finds that their firearm has sustained damage or has malfunctioned, they shall contact a member of the HCSO Academy’s Firearms Training Unit for assistance.
  5. An employee with a damaged or malfunctioning firearm shall not be authorized to carry that firearm until
    1. The firearm has been repaired or had any deficiencies corrected, and
    2. The firearm has been re-inspected and approved by a TCOLE-certified firearms instructor with the FTU.
5. Prohibited Modifications and Equipment
  Employees are prohibited from carrying any firearm that has been modified to the extent that its safety or reliability has been compromised.
  1. Trigger Shoes
    Trigger shoes are prohibited on all firearms carried by HCSO employees.
  2. Frame-Mounted Optics
    Except in relation to approved precision rifles carried by authorized employees, frame-mounted optics with power greater than five are prohibited on all firearms carried by HCSO employees.
  3. Interference with Iron Sights
    All equipment that restricts or prevents the use of iron sights is prohibited on handguns and rifles carried by HCSO employees.
  4. Fluted Barrels on Handguns
    Fluted barrels are prohibited on all handguns carried by HCSO employees.
  5. Exposed Hammers on Shotguns
    Exposed hammers are prohibited on all shotguns carried by HCSO employees.
6. Firearm Colors
  To ensure that employees maintain a professional appearance, all surfaces and attachments of a firearm that are visible while they are on-duty shall be either shades of black — if the surface or attachment is finished — or shades of silver or gray if the surface is unfinished.
  Note: Employees who qualified with a firearm frame that is a different color than those specified above prior to the effective date of this policy shall be allowed to continue to qualify with and use that firearm as long as it otherwise complies with this policy.
7. Ammunition
  With two exceptions, soft-pointed or hollow-pointed ammunition shall be used at all times.
  1. Non-expanding full-metal jacket ammunition may be utilized for range practice.
  2. Controlled-expansion full-metal jacket ammunition with ballistic tips may be utilized with a precision rifle only when an employee is authorized to use the precision rifle and the use of this ammunition is tactically required.
Prohibited Weapons
Employees shall not carry prohibited weapons — either on- or off-duty —unless both of the following conditions are met:
1. The employee is in full compliance with state and federal law regarding the prohibited weapon, and
2. The employee has been trained in said prohibited weapon’s use and is authorized under HCSO policy to carry it.
  1. Chemical Dispensing Devices or Tire-Deflation Devices
    An employee is authorized under HCSO policy to carry a chemical-dispensing device or tire-deflation device after successfully completing HCSO training on the relevant device.
  2. Machine Guns
    An employee is authorized under HCSO policy to carry a machine gun only in specific duty assignments when tactically necessary. Such authorization may only be given by the Sheriff or their designee.
Storage, Safety, and Lost or Stolen Weapons
Employees shall use the utmost caution when carrying, using, or storing weapons — in both on- and off-duty situations — to ensure no person is accidentally injured.
1. Each employee shall ensure the safe storage and security of their weapons at all times, regardless of whether they are on- or off-duty.
2. Each employee shall ensure that their weapons are stored in a secure area to prevent unauthorized use or theft.
3. Firearms Stored in Vehicles
  1. Every firearm stored inside a vehicle for any amount of time shall be secured in a manner that keeps it immobile during a crash and prevents theft and accidental discharge.
  2. If a car-share partner is not authorized to carry a certain firearm, the employee who is authorized to carry it shall remove it when they leave the vehicle.
  3. Each patrol rifle stored in a county-owned vehicle shall be stored securely with its chamber empty and a magazine in place.
4. Reporting Loss or Theft
  1. An employee who discovers that their weapon has been lost or stolen shall report the incident to their immediate supervisor without delay.
  2. An HCSO offense report shall be completed, and — if the loss or theft occurred outside of HCSO’s jurisdiction — the law enforcement agency with proper jurisdiction shall be notified.
  3. If an SBR, SBS, or suppressor is lost or stolen, the employee must also — immediately upon discovering the loss or theft — make all notifications and written reports required by law. Where relevant, this includes submitting all required forms to the ATF’s National Firearms Act branch.
Approved Firearms and Equipment
1. Handguns
  1. Approved Manufacturers and Cartridges
    Only handguns from these manufacturers and chambered for these cartridges may be used by HCSO employees, whether on- or off-duty:
    1. Revolvers

Approved Manufacturers:

Colt

Ruger

Dan Wesson

Smith & Wesson

Approved Cartridges

9mm Luger Parabellum

.357 Smith & Wesson Magnum

.38 Smith & Wesson Special

.41 Smith & Wesson Magnum

.44 Remington Magnum

.44 Smith & Wesson Special

.45 Auto Rim

.45 Automatic Colt Pistol

.45 Long Colt

Semi-Automatic Pistols

Approved Manufacturers :

Beretta

Browning

Colt

Česka Zbrojovka

Fabrique Nationale

Glock

Heckler & Koch

Kimber

Para USA

Ruger

SIG Sauer

Smith & Wesson

Springfield Armory

Staccato (formerly STI)

Stealth Arms

Walther

Approved Cartridges:

.38 Colt Super Automatic

.38 Automatic Colt Pistol

.40 Smith & Wesson Auto

9mm Luger Parabellum

10mm Auto

.45 Automatic Colt Pistol

.357 SIG

On-Duty Uniformed Employees
Handguns carried by on-duty uniformed employees are subject to these additional provisions:
1. Revolvers
The revolver must be capable of double-action fire.
The barrel length must be at least 3.5 inches and may not exceed 6.5 inches.
The cylinder must have at least a six-round cartridge capacity.
1. Semi-Automatic Pistols
The barrel length — including any attachments — must be at least 3.5 inches and may not exceed 6 inches.
Pistol-Mounted Optics
1. Approved Manufacturers
  Employees authorized to use pistol-mounted optics may use pistol-mounted optics from any well-regarded manufacturer.
2. Red-Dot Certification
  Prior to carrying any pistol-mounted optics while on-duty, an employee shall successfully complete an HCSO-approved red-dot certification course. All related maintenance and upkeep for pistol-mounted optics is the responsibility of the employee.
3. Backup Iron Sights
  All semi-automatic pistols shall have iron sights in addition to any pistol-mounted optics.
4. Quality Machining
  All machining related to the mounting of optics must be performed directly by the firearm manufacturer or another well-regarded manufacturer.
Off-Duty or Plain-clothes Employees
Handguns carried by off-duty or plain-clothes employees are subject to these additional provisions:
1. Revolvers
The revolver must be capable of double-action fire.
The barrel length must be at least 1.7 inches and may not exceed 6.5 inches.
The cylinder must have at least a five-round cartridge capacity.
1. Semi-Automatic Pistols
The barrel length must be at least 2.5 inches and may not exceed 6 inches.
In addition to the cartridges approved for use while on-duty, off-duty or plain-clothes employees may utilize approved firearms chambered for .380 ACP cartridges.
1. Long Guns
Approved Manufacturers
Only long guns from these manufacturers may be used by HCSO employees, whether on- or off-duty:
1. Patrol Rifles
  Employees authorized to use patrol rifles may use patrol rifles from any well-regarded manufacturer.
2. Shotguns

Approved Manufacturers :

Benelli

Beretta

Fabrique Nationale

High Standard

Mossberg

Remington

Winchester

Patrol Rifle Specifications
Patrol rifles carried by HCSO employees shall comply with all applicable laws and generally match or exceed military specifications for M16 or M4 rifles.
In addition, they are subject to these provisions:
1. Patrol rifles shall only be capable of semi-automatic fire.
2. Patrol rifles shall be chambered for 5.56mm NATO cartridges.
3. The trigger pull weight shall be no less than 4.5 pounds.
4. The magazine shall have a carrying capacity of no more than 40 rounds.
5. Every patrol rifle shall be equipped with both a sling and a small flashlight.
6. Patrol rifles shall have an overall length of at least 26 inches and a barrel length of at least 16 inches and not exceeding 20 inches.
7. Quarterly Inspections
All patrol rifles shall be inspected quarterly — in January, April, July, and October — by an HCSO employee who is qualified to perform said inspections and designated to do so by relevant the bureau commander. All inspection records shall be maintained within the employee’s district or division.
Note: Any qualified HCSO employee may be designated as an inspector, but the records of the inspections shall remain with the employee’s district or division.
The designated inspector shall perform the following actions during each quarterly inspection:
1. Inspect the patrol rifle for cleanliness.
2. Inspect the patrol rifle for proper mechanical operation.
3. Inspect the patrol rifle to ensure that it has not been altered and complies with HCSO policy.
4. If any violations of policy are found, take immediate action up to and including the temporary revocation of the employee’s authorization to carry the patrol rifle.
For each inspection, the designated inspector shall complete all relevant fields in the HCSO Patrol Rifle Inspection Form and deliver the completed form to the employee’s district or division.
Shotgun Specifications
Shotguns carried by on-duty employees shall comply with all applicable laws and are subject to these additional provisions:
1. Only 12-gauge shotguns are approved for use, but they may be pump-action or semi-automatic.
2. Shotguns shall have an overall length of at least 26 inches and a barrel length of at least 18 inches and not exceeding 22 inches.
3. Every shotgun shall be equipped with a sling.
4. Shotgun-Mounted Optics
Approved Manufacturers
Employees may use shotgun-mounted optics from any well-regarded manufacturer.
Red-Dot Certification
Employees are not required to complete any certification course prior to carrying shotgun-mounted optics while on duty, but all maintenance and upkeep for shotgun-mounted optics is the responsibility of the employee.
Backup Iron Sights
Iron sights are not required for the use of shotgun-mounted optics.
1. Assignment-Specific Firearms and Equipment
Machine guns, precision rifles, SBRs, SBSs, and suppressors are only approved for use in specific duty assignments and only in specific situations where they are tactically necessary.
No employee shall carry a machine gun, precision rifle, SBR, SBS, or suppressor without prior authorization from the Sheriff or their designee.
Any employee who is authorized to use an approved SBR, SBS, or suppressor shall file all relevant federal documentation, provide proof of such filing to the FTU, and keep a copy of that documentation with them at all times while carrying the approved SBR, SBS, or suppressor.
Machine Guns
Employees authorized to use machine guns may use machine guns from any well-regarded manufacturer.
Precision Rifles
1. Approved Manufacturers
  Only precision rifles from these manufacturers may be used by HCSO employees, whether on- or off-duty:

Approved Manufacturers :

Colt

Fabrique Nationale

Browning

Heckler & Koch

Savage

Mauser

Remington

Ruger

Winchester

LWRC International

Knights Armament Company

Triarc Systems

Lone Star Armory

Aero Precision DPMS

Specifications
Precision rifles shall have an overall length of at least 26 inches and a barrel length of at least 16 inches and not exceeding 22 inches.
1. SBRs
Approved manufacturers
Employees authorized to use SBRs may use SBRs from any well-regarded manufacturer.
Only SBRs with a barrel length of at least 10 inches are approved for use by authorized employees.
1. SBSs
  Employees authorized to use SBSs may use SBSs from any of the manufacturers approved for shotguns under this policy.
2. Suppressors
  In addition to the limitations outlined above, suppressors are only approved for use with machine guns, patrol rifles, and precision rifles.
3. Approved Manufacturers
  Only suppressors from these manufacturers may be used by HCSO employees, whether on- or off-duty:

Approved Manufacturers :

Advanced Armament Corporation

Brugger & Thomet

CGS Group

Dead Air

Exigent Defense

Griffin Armament

Heckler and Koch

Huxwrxx

KGM Technologies

Knights Armament

Otter Creek Labs

Rugged Suppressors

Sig Sauer

Silencer Central

SilencerCo

Surefire

Thunder Beast Arms Corporation

Witt Machine and Tool Company

Yankee Hill Machine

Employee Responsibilities
1. The employee shall properly zero the firearm and maintain awareness of the impact shift, if any, of the suppressor. If the employee removes the suppressor, the employee shall properly zero the firearm after doing so.
2. The employee shall properly maintain and safely store the suppressor at all times.
  1. Miscellaneous Provisions
    1. Authorization to Carry a Patrol Rifle
      Patrol rifles are unique among the firearms approved for use by HCSO employees while on-duty. As a result the authorization to use patrol rifles on-duty must be affirmatively requested and, if granted, may be revoked.
      The procedures for both requesting and revoking authorization are laid out below.
3. Requesting Authorization
  An employee who is authorized to carry firearms as part of their assigned duties and who has demonstrated their proficiency with a patrol rifle by completing the relevant qualification course to the satisfaction of the FTU may seek authorization to carry a patrol rifle as part of their assigned duties by completing and submitting the Request for Authorization to Carry a Patrol Rifle On-Duty Form.
4. Revoking Authorization
  All employees who are authorized to carry patrol rifles on-duty are expected to properly maintain their patrol rifles and carry them in a professional manner. Employees who fail to meet these standards may have their authorization suspended or permanently revoked.
Revocation Procedure
1. Immediate Suspension Pending Review
  If, at any time, a supervisor believes that an employee has demonstrated a lack of good judgment with a patrol rifle, that supervisor shall immediately suspend the employee’s authorization to use the patrol rifle.
  A lack of good judgment may be demonstrated in a variety of ways — including but not limited to — the following:
  1. Unsafe handling of the patrol rifle,
  2. Inappropriate display of the patrol rifle,
  3. Negligent discharge of the patrol rifle — regardless of whether any injuries result,
  4. Failure to maintain the patrol rifle’s cleanliness,
  5. Failure to ensure that the patrol rifle is operationally sound, or
  6. Use of the patrol rifle in any situation where said use was not reasonable.
2. Bureau Commander Review
  A bureau commander shall determine the appropriate length of any suspension of an employee’s authority to carry a patrol rifle and may decide to permanently revoke that authorization.
3. Employee Appeal of a Suspension
  1. An employee may appeal a suspension of their authorization to carry a patrol rifle in writing to their bureau commander.
  2. An employee may not appeal a bureau commander’s decision on an appeal or the length of a suspension of their authority to carry a patrol rifle.
4. Required Actions for Suspending Supervisors
  Supervisors who believe a suspension is required under this policy shall:
  1. Immediately notify the employee whose authorization has been suspended,
  2. Order the employee to unload the patrol rifle immediately and place it in the trunk of their county-owned vehicle until they are off-duty,
  3. Order the employee that, upon going off-duty, they shall remove the patrol rifle from their county-owned vehicle and shall safely store it, unused, unless and until they are notified in writing that their authority to carry the patrol rifle has been reinstated, and
  4. Document all relevant facts in writing and forward such documentation to the employee’s bureau commander through the chain of command.
5. Required Actions within the Chain of Command
  Upon receiving documentation related to a temporary revocation, each supervisor within the chain of command shall review said documentation on actions to be taken before forwarding the documentation through their chain of command.
6. Discretion of the Bureau Commander
  Upon receiving the documentation from the suspending supervisor and any additional recommendations from an employee’s chain of command, the bureau commander may render a decision without considering additional information or grant a hearing of an employee’s appeal.
Related Disciplinary Actions
All disciplinary actions related to suspensions or permanent revocations of authority to carry a patrol rifle shall follow normal disciplinary procedures.
1. Imported or Licensed Manufacture of Firearms
  A firearm that complies with the policy in all relevant ways but is not clearly marked as being made by an approved manufacturer shall be approved for use by an authorized employee if:
  1. The firearm was manufactured by an approved manufacturer but is marked only with the name of an importer.
  2. The firearm was manufactured under a license agreement with an approved manufacturer.
    References
    18 U.S. Code § 921
    37 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 211.1, 218.9
    Tex. Gov’t Code §§ 411.199–1993, 614.124
    Tex. Occ. Code § 1701.357
    Tex. Penal Code §§ 46.01, 46.05
    Policy 705 — Firearms Training and Qualification

Revision

This policy has been revised on the below listed dates:

July 27, 2016
November 22, 2016
May 1, 2018
March 18, 2019
August 28, 2020
July 21, 2021
July 22, 2026