June 26th, 2026 – Baldwin City, KS
Free State Firearms, LLC, a pre-eminent world-wide manufacturer of user-authenticated firearms, today announced that the Real County, Texas Sheriff’s Office will deploy its RFID-based user-authenticated firearms at the Real County, Texas jail. The deployment marks another historic milestone — the first known operational use of user-authenticated firearm technology by a U.S. law enforcement agency for corrections.
“Firearm retention in a county jail is one of the most serious safety considerations my deputies face”, said Sheriff Nathan Johnson of the Real County Sherifs Office. “Free State Firearms’ user authentication 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 in a correctional setting, and we believe it represents the future of responsible corrections best practices.”
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 firearm retention. Should a prisoner / detainee attempt to seize an officer’s firearm, RFID authentication renders the firearm inoperable in unauthorized hands — a potentially life-saving capability.
The Real County Sheriff’s Office previously 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 firearms theft, unauthorized access, and unauthorized firearms discharges — without compromising performance. Free State Firearms’ deployment with the Real County Sheriff’s Office provides compelling real-world proof that the technology is ready to meet the demands of law enforcement professionals.
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