Blackhawk, maker of holsters and other tactical gear, is "disappointed" the Los Angeles Police Department decided to ban officers from using its Serpa holster, an official said.
"While we are disappointed with the LAPD's decision regarding the Serpa holster, we at Blackhawk! recognize the Serpa as an intuitive, fast and safe retention holster," Larry Houck, the company's senior product manager for holsters, said in an email to Military.com.
The LAPD this month joined other law enforcement agencies in banning officers from using the product in part because of its potential to "increase the likelihood of a negligent discharge," according to a memo to employees, as previously reported by SoldierSystems.net.
A spokesperson for the department didn't immediately return a call and email from Military.com requesting comment.
In his email to Military.com, Houck defended the product made by the Overland Park, Kansas-based company, which is part of Vista Outdoor LLC, a closely held consumer products firm headquartered in Utah.
"When the Serpa holster is used correctly, the user's finger aligns safely on the frame of the weapon where it belongs," he said. "Pulling the trigger requires an independent action that is in no way caused by the holster."
Houck also noted there are some eight million Serpa holsters on the market.
"It remains the holster of choice for many civilian users, law enforcement agencies, and military units around the world, including the US Marine Corps, the German Army, Swiss Army, US Customs and Border Patrol, and the US Special Operations Command," he said.
