So, let’s say you’re in the gun store or the cop shop, ready to purchase a new off duty weapon. You’ve decided on a polymer frame .40 compact. You have it narrowed down to, in alphabetical order, a Beretta Px4-C, a Glock 23, a SIG-pro 2340, a Smith & Wesson Military & Police compact and a Springfield Armory XD. You realize you can be happy with any of them. This shop prices them all roughly the same. Savvy tactical shopper that you are, you ask the sales person, “Do any of these come with any additional incentives?”

“Well,” answers the clerk, pointing at the Px4, “this one here comes with a $10,000 death benefit to your family if you’re killed in the line of duty.”

Got your attention?

Announced in late 2007, Project Allegiance has Beretta USA footing the bill for a $10,000 death benefit for any law enforcement officer who participates in the program. “Participate” means purchasing a Px4, and registering with the program. It’s good for three years after the purchase. After-death benefits also include grief counseling for loved ones, and help with post-traumatic stress issues.

The Px4 has already been adopted by some LE agencies as a duty weapon, and approved by others. For instance, our second largest city police department, Chicago PD at 13,000 strong, has approved the Px4 in its “C” variation, which stands for “constant action.” It’s a slick-slide, DAO gun with a very nice, smooth trigger pull and no manual safety or decocking lever. 

Suppose you work for an agency mandating something other than Beretta for on-duty or even off-duty carry?  I put this question to Matteo Recontini, who handles LE sales for the company. He replied there was “no requirement to carry, though we like to think of LE officers as being better protected when they carry a Beretta!”

Who’s eligible? According to Beretta, the line of duty death benefit covers “Law Enforcement officers, who work for State, Local or Federal Law Enforcement Agencies who purchase a Px4 Storm Pistol which qualifies under this program, are eligible to participate. Law Enforcement Officer means any person, duly commissioned by a Public Agency, who is serving in an official capacity with or without compensation. This includes but is not limited to such duly commissioned police, sheriffs, corrections, and probation, parole and conservation officers.”