April 9th, 2026 – Baldwin City, KS
Free State Firearms, LLC, a leading developer of user-authenticated firearm technology, today announced that the Real County, Texas Sheriff’s Office has operationally deployed its RFID-based user-authenticated firearm for prisoner transfer / transport operations. The deployment marks a historic milestone — the first known operational use of user-authenticated firearm technology by a U.S. law enforcement agency.
“This is a landmark moment for firearm safety technology,” said Tom Holland, President of Free State Firearms. “When a law enforcement agency trusts our firearm for one of their most demanding operational environments — prisoner transport — it speaks volumes about the reliability and real-world performance of our platform. We’re proud to be part of the Real County Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to officer safety and responsible use of force.”
Free State Firearms’ RFID-based authentication technology ensures that a firearm can only be operated by its authorized user. By pairing the firearm with an RFID credential carried by the authorized officer, the system delivers a seamless, fast, and reliable access control solution that requires no additional steps from the operator under normal conditions. The technology is engineered to meet the speed, reliability, and durability standards demanded by professional law enforcement users.
One critical risk factor is officer weapon retention. Should a subject attempt to seize an officer’s firearm during a transport operation, RFID authentication renders the weapon inoperable in unauthorized hands — a potentially life-saving capability.
“Weapon retention during prisoner transport is one of the most serious safety considerations my deputies face,” said Sheriff Nathan Johnson of the Real County Sheriff’s Office. “Free State Firearms’ user-authenticated technology gave us a solution that directly addresses that risk. After thorough testing, we were confident it was ready for duty use — and it has performed exactly as advertised. We’re proud to be the first agency to deploy this technology, and we believe it represents the future of responsible law enforcement carry.”
The Real County Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough evaluation and qualification process before approving the firearm for operational duty use. User-authenticated firearms represent a growing area of interest among law enforcement agencies, consumers, and policymakers seeking solutions that reduce the risk of weapon theft, unauthorized access, and accidents — without compromising performance. Free State Firearms’ deployment with the Real County Sheriff’s Office provides compelling real-world proof that the technology is ready for the demands of professional use.
“We believe this deployment will open eyes across the law enforcement and consumer markets,” Holland added. “If it performs in prisoner transport — one of the most operationally demanding environments a duty weapon faces — it performs anywhere.”
Free State Firearms’ user-authenticated firearms are available to both law enforcement agencies and civilian consumers. For more information, visit https://freestatefirearms.co or contact info@freestatefirearms.co.
About Free State Firearms, LLC: Free State Firearms, LLC, is an ATF-licensed firearms manufacturer. Our mission is to design, develop, and bring to market reliable firearms that significantly reduce the number of unauthorized firearm discharges.
Contact Information:
Free State Firearms, LLC
https://www.freestatefirearms.co
Tom Holland – President
tholland@freestatefirearms.co
(785) 594-3005