Police officers carry semiautomatic pistols as their service weapons. The brand and calibre of weapon varies by municipality, with some cities allowing officers several weapon options.
The semiautomatic pistol can hold up to 18 rounds (bullets), fires faster than the standard revolver and can be loaded quickly. It is also durable and comes equipped with safety features that prevent accidental discharge. Popular calibres are 9 mm, .40 and .45; however, officers looking for greater stopping power opt for the larger calibres. Glock, Smith and Wesson and Beretta are the three most common handgun manufacturers, with Glock supplying nearly a quarter of the nation's police officers.
