New York vs. Chicago, How Guns Used by Police Compare

Although it may not have the most police per capita, the United States has one of the largest police forces in the world, tagging behind China and India. Our nation places a huge importance on the responsibilities of police officers. Police departments across the country are responsible for solving cold cases, ensuring traffic safety, and contributing to a safer, healthier society. But being a police officer is not an easy job. The Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project from the University of Illinois – Chicago shares that in 2021 alone, 15,369 officers were injured or assaulted on the job.

For this reason, U.S. law enforcement officers must carefully choose their weapons to protect them from harm’s way. Police officers typically carry guns that can be deployed in emergency situations. These firearms can save someone else’s life, or a police officer’s own life, should the situation call for it. It is incredibly important that their service weapons are accurate and easy to deploy if necessary. Guns must also meet the strict guidelines enforced for what officers are allowed to carry. (Here are the 14 guns that American police departments prefer.)

To identify the handguns used by police departments in America’s 10 largest cities by population, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed police department policy handbooks and local media reports. It is important to note that the firearms listed are not necessarily all those used by police in that city, but rather represent standard-issue firearms based on the latest available data at the time of this publication. 

In some major cities, police departments rely on a single, standardized service weapon. In other major U.S. cities, such as Chicago and Philadelphia, police can choose between a range of firearms that fall within department-approved parameters to carry while on duty. Police departments have moved away from revolvers in much of the country, opting instead for semi-automatic handguns, which typically reload and fire faster, and have larger magazine capacities. However, in some cities on this list, revolvers are still permitted. (Take a look at the most popular revolver companies in the US, ranked.)

To identify the handguns used by police departments in America’s largest cities, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed official police department documents and local media reports. While specific data on firearms for the San Diego Police Department was unavailable, a departmen spokesperson confirmed that offers choose between a range of guns. 

Police officer personnel and city population figures are as of 2021 and came from the FBI. Due to a lack of FBI reporting for Chicago and Philadelphia, population data is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey and police officer counts are from official department websites. This data is current as of the time of the publication of this story in May 2024.

Why We’re Telling You

If you’re interested in public policy or public safety, the firearms used by American police officers gives great insight into their department’s priorities and spending. Their gun choices often reflect broader trends in how police officers approach their work. By looking at the spread of gun choices throughout different departments, you can also see which gun brands or manufacturers best appeal to police for their reliability.

Check out which standard-issue guns police use in America’s 10 biggest cities: 

10. San Jose

• Standard issue service weapon (s): Sig Sauer P225, Sig Sauer P226, Glock 17, and Glock 19 (officers can also elect to carry a variety of approved firearms while on duty at their own expense, including Beretta and Smith & Wesson semi-automatics and Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers)
• Police officer count: 1,161 (1.1 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 1,019,772

9. Dallas

• Standard issue service weapon (s): Glock 17 and Glock 19, other options also available
• Police officer count: 3,118 (2.3 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 1,349,185

8. San Diego

• Standard issue service weapon(s): Officers choose between a range of weapons
• Police officer count: 1,877 (1.3 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 1,434,673

7. Philadelphia

• Standard issue service weapon(s): Revolvers: Smith & Wesson .38 Special, or Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum; Semi-automatic pistols: Glock 17, Glock 26, Glock 22, Glock 27, Glock 35, Glock 21-SF, Glock 21, Glock 30, or Glock 30-SF
• Police officer count: 6,300 (4.0 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 1,576,251

6. San Antonio

• Standard issue service weapon(s): Smith & Wesson M&P 40
• Police officer count: 2,381 (1.5 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 1,592,693

5. Phoenix

• Standard issue service weapon (s): Glock 22, Glock 21, and Glock 17
• Police officer count: 2,795 (1.7 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 1,638,290

4. Houston

• Standard issue service weapon (s): Glock 17 for rookies, other options available depending on tenure
• Police officer count: 5,250 (2.2 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 2,339,252

3. Chicago

• Standard issue service weapon (s): Glock 17 or Glock 19. May also use Springfield Armory XD Service Model 4 inch, Springfield Armory XD Tactical Model 5 inch, Springfield Armory XDM SFS, Smith & Wesson Model M&P9C, or Smith & Wesson Model M&P9 Shield, depending on training and tenure. Auxiliary pistol: Glock 26, Glock 43, and Springfield Armory XD Subcompact 3-inch SFS.
• Police officer count: 13,108 (4.9 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 2,696,561

2. Los Angeles

• Standard issue service-weapon(s): FN 509 MRD-LE
• Police officer count: 9,474 (2.4 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 3,988,183

1. New York

• Standard issue service-weapon(s): Glock 17, Glock 19, Smith & Wesson 5946, or the SIG Sauer P226
• Police officer count: 35,047 (4.1 per 1,000 people)
• City population: 8,475,387

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