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Tom Green County approves purchase of 54 M4 rifles for sheriff's office using seized funds
Summary
Commissioners authorized $108,920.80 to buy 54 M4-style patrol rifles through a BuyBoard contract, funded from seized funds; presenters said older rifles were failing and posed safety and reliability concerns.
Tom Green County Commissioners on Jan. 7 approved the purchase of 54 M4-style patrol rifles for the sheriff's office from Primary Arms Government Sales for $108,920.80, using BuyBoard contract 698-23 and seized-funds rather than tax revenues.
County staff said the department’s existing rifles are more than 20 years old, have recurring mechanical failures and a recorded “catastrophic failure” in which an upper receiver failed during use. A sheriff’s office representative told the court, “These rifles are very worn. They're beginning to break down and often require parts to keep them in service.”
The replacement rifles will be built to the department’s specifications by a Texas vendor the presenters described as Sons of Liberty Gun Works; new rifles will include EOTech sights, a sling and three magazines per rifle and come with a lifetime warranty and a duty‑use replacement program. Speakers said an equivalent make was available but cost more and lacked the warranty and replacement program the county wanted.
Procurement staff told commissioners the BuyBoard contract satisfies competitive procurement requirements and that the quoted price was below the original manufacturer estimate. Presenters said the purchase will be paid from the sheriff’s seized/fund budget rather than the county tax levy.
Commissioners moved, seconded and voted to approve the purchase; the motion carried.
